# Emmanuel Macron Rejects Resignation Amid Record Low Popularity Leaked messages reveal the French President's defiance despite political instability and social unrest. - **Source:** [El Mundo – Internacional](https://www.elmundo.es/internacional) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1add88b9-c955-471f-8520-0b2132cda76c ## Unprecedented Presidential Unpopularity Emmanuel Macron currently faces a historic low in public approval, with only 13% of French citizens expressing trust in his leadership. This record, documented by a recent Les Echos poll, positions him as the most unpopular president of the Fifth Republic, mirroring the decline experienced by his predecessor, François Hollande. ## Leaked Private Communications The president’s private Telegram exchanges with journalist Françoise Degois have been published in a new book titled 'Todos ustedes son demasiado duros conmigo'. These messages, sent over a year, reveal Macron’s candid thoughts on his political rivals and his own administration, despite his previous claims of avoiding such journalistic intimacy. ## Firm Stance on Resignation Despite the intense pressure from ongoing social protests and a paralyzed political landscape, Macron explicitly stated in his messages that he will never resign. He maintains a defiant posture, refusing to express remorse for the controversial decision to dissolve the National Assembly in June 2024, which significantly weakened his centrist majority. ## Strategic Defense of Dissolution Macron defends the June 2024 dissolution as a necessary tactical move to block the National Rally (RN) party. He argues that the RN was preparing for early elections in the autumn, and his decision forced a confrontation that prevented them from capitalizing on their momentum during that specific political window. ## Critique of Political Rivals The president remains highly critical of the political opposition, particularly Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whom he accuses of pursuing a chaotic strategy. He justifies his refusal to appoint a left-wing prime minister by claiming the New Popular Front is incapable of reaching internal agreements, asserting that such a government would collapse immediately. ## Distance from Former Allies The leaked messages highlight a significant cooling of relations between Macron and his former protégé, Gabriel Attal. Following the electoral failure that led to Attal’s resignation as prime minister, Macron expressed frustration, suggesting that his former ally had been given too much support and responsibility throughout his tenure in office. ## Tensions with National Rally Macron views the rise of Marine Le Pen’s party as a dangerous force, claiming the political machine is hungry for their success. He warns that any misstep by his administration inadvertently benefits the National Rally, urging his colleagues to lower the political temperature and avoid playing with matches in public. ## Historical Political Context The publication of these private exchanges draws inevitable comparisons to the controversial book released during François Hollande’s presidency. While Macron once declared he would never seek such journalistic connivance, his current situation reflects the systemic challenges of the Fifth Republic, where presidents often struggle to maintain authority amid deep-seated social divisions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2026/11/06/6aee1cbee9cf4a621f8b4576.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._