10 Reasons Why François Hollande Has Flopped In France

Is it the 75% tax trap? Poor communication skills? Or is he just too normal? Unluckily for Hollande, it's all these things and more

By Agnès Poirier, The Guardian

His approval ratings were already disastrous, but François Hollande is now confirmed as the most unpopular president on record. A survey on Monday put his personal approval ratings at 26%, the first time a president has dropped below 30% since presidential popularity began to be measured by BVI polling agency. For voters across the political spectrum it seems, poor Hollande can do no right. Here are 10 possible reasons why it's all gone pear-shaped for the president.

1. The 75% tax trap

The pledge made by Hollande during his election campaign, that he would tax the highest incomes at 75%, alongside his earlier "I don't like the rich" statement, has almost defined his presidency and not in a good way. The biggest irony is that the 75% tax rate, since deemed unconstitutional, will never be implemented. A case of communication gone terribly wrong. Zéro points.

2. He has perfected the art of putting the cart before the horse (otherwise known as getting his priorities wrong)

To start his five year reign with the same-sex marriage bill battle was probably courageous, but ill-advised. In the eyes of most French people, even those in favour of gay marriage, the new government's efforts should have been focused on fighting the public deficit, tackling unemployment and reforming institutions.

3. Hating conflict is not ideal when you're the president of France

Hollande hates confrontation, can't stand discord, and like most self-confessed social democrats, he wants to calm heated debate at all costs. If this has proved useful when negotiating with trade unions over greater flexibility in the labour market, a conciliatory tone in all things is not always useful.

4. He is indecisive

Conciliation often leads to indecision, or the appearance of indecision. His advisers confide that they never know what he really thinks and that his answers to questions are either "oui" or "oui oui". In a country where the favourite three letter word is "non", the presidential habit sounds more than hesitant, it sounds ominous.

5. He doesn't seem able to rein in his party factions

That the Left party's pitbull, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, keeps insulting the head of state on prime-time television and on the airwaves is bad enough, but you could argue that not being a member of the government, he doesn't have to show any deference. However, the Greens holding ministerial positions, calling for French youngsters to take to the streets, is a step too far that even a conciliatory president shouldn't accept.

6. He's too normal

I admit, we quite liked it at first. After five years of sheer abnormality with the histrionic Nicolas Sarkozy, most of us welcomed "Monsieur Normal", a slightly overweight regular bloke, not a jack-in-the-box prone to outrageous behaviour and policies. The problem is, France requires a less than ordinary president, a personality able to grasp the complexities and beauties of such a contrarian nation.

7. He has a weak prime minister

Why oh why is Hollande sticking to Jean-Marc Ayrault as PM? The mayor of Nantes should have kept doing what he does best, being a local figure. The poor man looks so exhausted; he has no authority on his unruly government. Manuel Valls, the current dashing and firm interior minister, would as prime minister stir passions and wake France up.

8. He lacks communication skills

Can Alastair Campbell please help? If Sarkozy was a master dazzler, leaving us no time to rest between announcements of eye-catching new measures, Hollande seems unable to present his actions in clear and effective terms. We don't see him much and when he speaks out, we're not convinced.

9. He has stopped being himself

This is probably the saddest thing. François Hollande, bon viveur and witty charmer, used to make us laugh. If he's still charming and warm in private, with us, his people, he feels he needs to act out a part. We don't see him eat, drink and be merry, he doesn't humour us anymore, he even walks strangely, as stiff as a broom.

10. He hasn't eased our existentialist angst

Many of us hoped he would be able to soothe our national anxiety, which reached alarming levels after five years of Sarkozy paroxysm. Alas, after a wait and see period, we feel increasingly impatient. Soon, we'll be getting angry.