Ifop conducted a survey for LCI to better understand how the French view international tensions and relations with the major powers. The results show that public opinion is at once worried, suspicious and aware of current geopolitical issues.
With regard to the possibility of an open war involving France in the next five years, 56% of French people believe that such a scenario could occur, a concern that is more pronounced among the under-35s (63%). With specific reference to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, 54% fear that it could escalate, a level of concern that rises to 63% among the middle professions.
This perception is part of a more general feeling of insecurity: 88% of French people believe that the world today is more dangerous than it was ten years ago, a figure that reaches 96% among PS supporters, compared with 76% among Renaissance supporters.
This concern is also reflected in the relationship with international allies. With regard to the United States, only 29% of French people consider it a reliable ally today, compared with 68% in June 2024, before Donald Trump’s election. Conversely, 71% of French people consider the United States unsafe, including 88% of LFI sympathizers versus 52% of those close to the Rassemblement national.
The level of concern is also very marked with regard to foreign leaders: 80% say they are worried about Vladimir Putin, a figure that reaches 97% among ecologist sympathizers. Other personalities also arouse concern: 79% for Donald Trump, 69% for Kim Jong-un, 63% for Xi Jinping. As for Ali Khamenei, 52% say they are worried, with a peak among LR supporters (66%).
Finally, on the question of diplomatic dialogue, 53% of French people believe that Emmanuel Macron is right to want to resume dialogue with Vladimir Putin, with support even stronger among men (60%), 25-34 year-olds (66%) and voters in the presidential majority (69%).
