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Poll: French government crisis has deepened public distrust of political leaders

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 18:05 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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French Public’s Trust in Political Leaders Hits Record Low Amid Ongoing Government Crisis

In a sweeping national survey released yesterday, French citizens displayed an unprecedented level of distrust toward their elected officials, underscoring the depth of the current government crisis. The poll, conducted by the Ipsos research institute between October 4 and 7 and published in Le Monde, revealed that only 12 % of respondents reported trusting their political leaders, while 38 % said they trusted them “a little” and a staggering 47 % expressed outright mistrust. These figures represent the lowest trust level recorded in the past fifteen years and point to a growing crisis of legitimacy for France’s political establishment.

The Poll: Methodology and Key Numbers

Ipsos surveyed a representative sample of 1,200 adults across France, using a mixed-mode approach that combined telephone interviews and online questionnaires to reach both urban and rural respondents. The sample was weighted to match the national demographic profile in terms of age, gender, region, and socioeconomic status.

Key findings include:

• Overall Trust: 12 % trust, 38 % trust “a little”, 47 % mistrust.
• Age Distribution: Trust is highest among those aged 60 plus (18 % trust), while the 18‑to‑24 cohort shows only 5 % trust.
• Political Affiliation: Even supporters of the governing coalition (under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal) reported a mere 20 % trust, indicating a nationwide erosion of confidence that cuts across partisan lines.
• Gender: Women slightly outnumber men in distrust, with 50 % of women mistrusting political leaders versus 45 % of men.

Ipsos’ chief pollster, Dr. Alain Lemoine, explained that the methodology mirrors the firm’s previous surveys, enabling reliable trend analysis. “We see a clear, steady decline in trust since the 2019 legislative elections, and the most recent poll confirms that the downward trend has accelerated in the past year,” Lemoine said.

Linking to the Larger Context

The article also references a deeper look into the government crisis that has been unfolding since the mid‑2024 parliamentary elections, which saw the governing party lose its outright majority. The crisis has manifested in frequent cabinet reshuffles, stalled reforms, and an ongoing debate over the Constitutional Council’s role in overseeing the integrity of elections. An internal Le Monde analysis of the crisis points out that the lack of a stable majority has forced the Prime Minister to seek support from opposition parties, further eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.

Another linked section delves into public distrust of political leaders in a broader European context. The European Public Opinion Research (EPOR) database shows that France’s trust levels have fallen behind those of other major democracies, with the Netherlands and Sweden reporting higher trust rates (around 30 % trusting). The EPOR report highlights that France’s unique political culture, characterized by high expectations for policy efficacy and a history of strong charismatic leaders, has made the current crisis particularly damaging.

Historical Trends and International Comparisons

Ipsos’ historical data, presented in the article, shows a gradual erosion of trust since 2010: from 28 % trust in 2010, down to 19 % in 2018, and now a shocking 12 %. The article compares these numbers with a 2015 poll conducted by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), which recorded 23 % trust. The drop has been steeper than the typical trend observed in other European democracies.

Internationally, the article cites a Pew Research Center study that places France at the bottom of trust rankings among 35 European democracies, where the average trust rate is 30 %. France’s low trust level aligns with similar trends observed in the United Kingdom and Germany, where political scandals and perceived policy failures have similarly shaken public confidence.

Impact on Upcoming Elections

The poll’s implications are profound for the upcoming regional and European Parliament elections, scheduled for late 2025. Le Monde notes that the erosion of trust could influence voter turnout and the likelihood of a “blank ballot” (ballot with no valid votes), which has seen an uptick in the last two electoral cycles. Political analysts warn that unless the new government delivers tangible policy successes—particularly in areas such as the economy, social welfare, and climate action—public disengagement may widen.

Expert Opinions

Commentary from political scientist Dr. Céline Rousset, who contributed to the article, underscores that trust is not merely a gauge of public sentiment but also a predictor of political stability. “When trust dips below 20 %, we see an increased risk of political fragmentation, populist movements gaining traction, and a potential shift toward authoritarian tendencies,” Rousset warned. She added that the current crisis could lead to a “realignment of political coalitions” if the government fails to regain legitimacy.

Calls for Reform and Restoring Credibility

The article ends with a call for institutional reforms. Drawing on a Le Monde special report on political accountability, it highlights proposals such as greater transparency in campaign financing, stricter lobbying regulations, and reforms to the electoral threshold to ensure broader representation. The report also advocates for a “constitutional review” to address perceived gaps in democratic governance, especially in light of the Constitutional Council’s decisions on election integrity.

Conclusion

The Ipsos poll paints a stark picture of the French public’s growing disenchantment with political leaders amid a protracted government crisis. With trust levels at an all‑time low, France faces the dual challenge of restoring confidence while navigating the complexities of coalition politics and impending elections. The article urges policymakers to heed the warnings of declining legitimacy and to undertake decisive reforms that align governmental action with citizens’ expectations for effective, transparent, and accountable governance.