An angry country, much more concerned with economic and social issues than with identity issues and with a demand for a rebalancing of powers. The tenth wave of the “French Fractures” study, carried out by Ipsos-Sopra Steria for The worldthe Jean-Jaurès Foundation and the Center for Political Research of Sciences Po (Cevipof), paints a contrasting portrait of a massively dissatisfied France but notes, at the same time, the first signs of a relaxation.
This survey is on an exceptional scale and thus gives the most complete picture possible of the state of opinion in the country. This year, the sample has been multiplied by ten compared to previous waves, with no less than 12,044 people, constituting a representative sample of the French population aged 18 and over, questioned from September 16 to 20, according to the method quotas.
This is not to say that all is well: 36% of those polled say they belong to a very angry and protesting France, 58% to a dissatisfied France. Similarly, 89% of French people believe they live in a violent society, which is increasing (87%). A quarter of them (26%, +8 points in one year) even think that resorting to violence can sometimes be justified.
However, and this is a positive point, the political crisis is not getting worse. Admittedly, the levels are often bad, but in view of the responses from 2015 and 2016 – the peak of mistrust and rejection of the traditional political system – things are going a little better.
Support for democracy
Thus, the demand for authority is declining, even if it remains high: 79% of French people would like a “real leader to restore order” (stable over one year, but down 8 points compared to ten years ago). The idea that democracy is “irreplaceable” and is “the best possible system” is increasing (70%, +2 points compared to 2021). The demand for more direct democracy is also high (37%, when 44% are satisfied with the representative system).
While it remains predominantly negative, the image of politicians is also improving: the French are less likely to think that politicians are corrupt (57%, – 5 points in one year), 29% consider that men and women politicians act mainly in the interest of the French (+ 8 points compared to 2021). Unheard of for six years. Along the same lines, trust in MPs (36%, +7 points) and political parties (18%, +2 points) is progressing.
You have 66.74% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.