35 percent of those surveyed said they had confidence in the government – the same proportion as last year – while 38 percent said that they trusted the President – a 2 percent increase on last year. 

The vast majority of those polled, 79 percent, agreed with the statement that “politicians talk too much but don’t act enough” – a five percent increase on last year.

Overwhelming majorities believe that the economy benefits bosses to the detriment of workers, that the government should take from the rich and give to the poor, that there are too many immigrants in France and that unemployed people can find a job if they look for one. 61 percent of those polled said that Islam represented a threat to the country. A majority said that more had to be done to advance the place of women in society. 

This confusing mix of results was summarised neatly by sociologist, Roger Sue, writing in Le Monde: “France is a left wing country that votes for the right.” 

“The electorate has become more volatile,” he continued. “The top down nature of out institutions has failed to produce republican integration.”

More than a quarter of those polled said it would be a good idea if the army governed France, 39 percent were in favour of an unelected strongman and 52 percent were in favour of government led by experts rather than elected officials. 

Just under half of voters believe the government has managed the Covid pandemic well.