Taxation, immigration, retirement… 8 out of 10 French people in favor of a referendum, as proposed by François Bayrou

The French are overwhelmingly in favor (83%) of holding a referendum and place the economy, pensions and immigration at the top of the list of issues they would like to be questioned on, according to an Elabe poll for BFMTV, published Sunday, May 11. More than one in two French people say they are in favor of holding a referendum, and 28% are very much in favor, in this study published after Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposal to question the French on the future trajectory of public finances.

"This idea has penetrated public opinion," François Bayrou said happily on Saturday, on the sidelines of a trip to Brest.

"Many French citizens are saying: yes, basically, that we are involved in these decisions for once is something that interests us and is very important. The political world is a little less enthusiastic, and we understand why: because the direct intervention of citizens changes the balance of power and the debate."

President Emmanuel Macron also proposed holding several such elections in his 2025 wishes. He may be more specific on the issue during a special broadcast Tuesday evening on TF1.

Taxation in the lead

Fifty-nine percent of respondents cite spending, debt, and taxes among the topics they would like to comment on. Pensions and immigration are tied for second (52%). Forty-three percent asked to be asked about the end of life, 22% about reducing the number of territorial levels, and 19% about proportional representation. At the bottom of the table are school schedules and the use of screens and social media for children (16%).