Last month, the president under pressure vowed to increase the minimum wage and get rid of new pension taxes, but many protesters continue to feel let down by their leader. An Ifop poll for Le Journal De Dimanche has revealed that only two thirds of people think he has responded to the demands of the protesters and their calls for social reform. The poll found that almost 80 percent of Marine Le Pen’s supporters and those for the far-left party France Unbowed believe Macron has not changed despite the widespread protests.
However, 75 percent of supporters of Macron’s party, La Republique en Marche, say he has changed.
The poll was conducted on January 24 and 25 and 1,008 people over the age of 18 answered the online questionnaire.
Around 70,000 protesters campaigned across France on Saturday resulting in the arrest of 300 people across the country.
Police were forced to fire tear gas and use water cannons to control the protesters at Place de la Bastille in Paris.
As in previous weeks, protesters carried French flags and held signs attacking “King Macron” as out of touch or calling for referendums tabled by ordinary citizens.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on Twitter criticised “rioters disguised as yellow vest protesters” after Saturday’s clashes
The protests began in November in response to a tax on fuel but have developed into widespread demonstrations against President Macron and his government.
Many of the campaigners hope Macron will bring back France’s wealth tax and allow the public to propose referendums.
Ten people have died due to the protests with most of these the result of traffic accidents following blockades in November and December.
Mr Macron has helped his case to a certain extent by taking an active role and touring the country participating in debates in towns across France to address the protesters’ concerns.
However some protesters have labelled this debate as a distraction away from his pro-business policies.