More than half of French people believe that the current democratic system is not working, a new poll shows, The Independent reports.
The poll, conducted by Ipsos for the Council for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs (CESE), found that 51 per cent of respondents believe that “only a strong government” can guarantee order and security.
Almost one in four (23 per cent) of respondents believe that democracy is not the best political system. Moreover, scepticism is increasing among younger people: 31 per cent of respondents under the age of 35 no longer support a democratic system.
Blaming the new political landscape – following this summer’s general election, which did not produce a clear winner – 76 per cent of those polled criticise politicians for being “disconnected from the real lives of citizens.”
These snap elections were prompted by President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial decision to dissolve parliament.
In the first round of voting, the Rassemblement Nationale (Rassemblement Nationale), led by Marine Le Pen and her 28-year-old protégé Jordan Bardella, won the most votes, but in the second round, the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, won the most seats.
Mr. Macron’s centrists, right and centre-left failed to win a majority, leaving the legislature fragmented for the next five years.
In September, Macron appointed Michel Barnier, who represents the conservative Republicans, as a Prime Minister.
The new government has faced its first difficulties in a hostile parliament as it tries to implement a budget that includes spending cuts and tax hikes. The tax raid is designed to save €60bn (£50bn) and tackle France’s growing budget deficit.
Finance Minister Antoine Armand said the move would “reduce the deficit and contain debt,” which is necessary “to protect financial confidence and, more broadly, to ensure economic stability.”
Pressure from financial markets and EUpartners is mounting after tax receipts this year fell well short of expectations while spending exceeded forecasts. The hastily crafted budget proposal risks a veto in parliament, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to initiate a vote of no confidence against the government.
