Macron shamed as almost half of French say things have got WORSE since he took over

According to an exclusive poll for French news channel CNEWS, 44 percent of the French feel that their finances have deteriorated since the beginning of Emmanuel Macron’s five-year term. This is damaging news for the incumbent president as the 2022 French election looms and speculations rise around whether he will declare himself a candidate.

The news also may further fuel the fires of Frexit, a campaign group for which has recently been celebrating the UK’s improved wages following Brexit.

Just 15 percent of the 1,010 polled by the CSA felt that their economic situation had improved since Macron’s election in 2017.

Meanwhile, 40 percent stated that their finances were the same following his leadership.

1 percent did not give an opinion.

Macron’s government has been attempting to improve the public perception of its economic action for several weeks.

During government question time in the National Assembly yesterday, the Minister of Public Accounts Olivier Dusspot stated that nearly 4 million employees had received an exceptional purchasing power bonus, dubbed the “Macron bonus”.

The bonus is worth a minimum of 500 euros.

However, due to the voluntary nature of companies, it is not necessarily aimed at the entire population.

The CSA survey also found that French people aged 65 and over are the most disappointed age group during Macron’s presidency.

Half of the respondents in this age group stated that their personal economic situation has gotten worse.

At the other end of the scale, the most satisfied group were those aged 25-34.

READ MORE: British fisherman protected! Calls for Frexit snowball [ANALYSIS]

22 percent of respondents at this age said their finances have improved.

Adjusting the statistics across political affinities revealed stark contrasts in how French people reported their economic situation.

Some of the most critical accounts of Macron’s presidency when it came to economics were, unsurprisingly, supporters of the strongly right-wing parties - Reconquest! And Reassemblement National. 72% of these supporters said that their situation has gotten worse.

The rate was at the polar opposite for supporters of Macron’s party, The Republic On The Move - just 11 percent said their finances had declined.

Despite these damning statistics, it appears increasingly likely that Macron will enter the presidential race once again.

DON'T MISS: 'Blood everywhere' ISIS boss killed in US strike - six children dead [BREAKING]
Horror as Australian boy mauled to death by family dog [PICTURES]
France and Germany's 'blindness' over Putin risks UK war [ANALYSIS]

In an interview with La Voix du Nord, Macron said he can not declare himself a candidate until the "acute phase" of the fifth wave of Covid is over.

At the same time, his entourage is reportedly working on a future presidential programme.

However, Macron would likely not count on an increase in salaries in his potential bid to stay in the Élysée Palace.

CNEWS report that he would rather rely on the increase of various social benefits, or on the abolition of contributions to increase purchasing power, as reported by La Croix.

If he pursues this strategy, it would represent a contrast with his main competitors in the election, most of whom have announced their intention to increase the minimum wage if they won.

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.