On the occasion of the 21st Congress of the Regions of France, to be held in Versailles on November 6, 2025, Ifop surveyed the French on their perception of the region and their vision of decentralization. A clear dynamic is emerging: the demand for proximity is translating into a transfer of confidence towards the Regions, now perceived as the most credible level for taking action and adapting policies to local realities.
A – A DESIRE TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL POWER AGAINST A BACKDROP OF STRONG MISTRUST OF THE STATE
1 – Against a backdrop of mistrust towards national or European centers of power, a clear preference is emerging: 76% of French people want future decision-making powers to be located in the regions, compared with 16% in Paris and 3% in Brussels. Compared to 2002, support for the regional level has risen by +30 points, a sign of the new consensus around the idea that the most appropriate level to make decisions is the regional level.
2 – The idea of regional federalism has also taken root in public debate: two-thirds of French people are in favor (64%), twice as many as 20 years ago (36% in 2006). This shift reflects an acceptance of the sharing of powers between the State and the regions, in order to adapt rules to the diversity of local issues.
3 – The idea of excessive decentralization is losing ground: only 25% of French people feel that decentralization has gone too far, half as many as 20 years ago. Conversely, 26% consider that it “has not gone far enough” and 35% that it has “reached a sufficient level”.
4 – The demand for proximity is accompanied by increased confidence in the regional level: 86% of French people say they trust their region more than the State (versus 74% in 2021). This preference cuts across all age groups, categories and territories, and is highest in rural areas (94%).
5 – This preference is embodied in concrete areas: to improve the situation, the French consider the Region more credible than the State when it comes to supporting business development (79%), preserving the environment (74%) and helping people find employment (71%). As a result, the Region is perceived as the player most capable of producing tangible results.
B – A CONSENSUS IN FAVOR OF STRENGTHENING THE REGIONS’ RESOURCES AND COMPETENCIES, IN A CONTEXT WHERE THEY ARE SEEN AS A VECTOR OF STABILITY IN RELATION TO A DISCREDITED STATE
5 – The French are first and foremost in favor of clarifying and strengthening regional powers: 91% are in favor. Next come the inclusion of regional powers in the Constitution (81%) and a stronger regional presence in European institutions (81%). By contrast, the abolition of the regions appeals to only a minority (19%). The message is clear: make the system more legible and efficient, better guaranteed and better represented.
6 – In nine areas of public action, support for increasing regional powers is overwhelming, at between 83% and 94%. At the top of the list are health and mobility issues: the fight against medical deserts garners 94% support, and transport 92%; while the economy/employment/training block stands at 88%. In the same vein, eight out of ten French people support a greater role for the Regions in the management of European funds (80%).
7 – This mandate to “do more” is, however, accompanied by a lack of resources. A majority of French people consider that local authorities, including the Regions, do not have the necessary resources: 55% consider their resources insufficient (versus 43% in 2020, i.e. +12 pts).
C – MOBILIZING RESOURCES TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS PLACED ON LOCAL AUTHORITIES BY THE 2015 REFORM
8 – Ten years after the reform, 52% of French people see a strengthening of the regions’ political weight (versus 44% in 2015, on a forward-looking basis), but only 49% see a strengthening of services to citizens, 44% a simplification of daily life and 43% a reduction in operating costs. The reform has clearly increased the visibility and influence of the regions.
9 – Expectations of regional councils focus primarily on levers capable of translating the reform into concrete, day-to-day benefits, and justifying greater mobilization of resources. Health tops the list (81% give priority to combating medical deserts), followed by security (61%) and economic development (61%). Next come support for the purchasing power of the most precarious (60%), the skills/education block (58% for apprenticeships/training, 55% for high schools), then environment/climate (53%) and development of rural areas (47%). These priorities express a demand for enhanced services, tangible simplification and efficient use of resources, over and above the mere gain in institutional influence.
Nicola Gaddoni of Ifop: The emerging dynamic is clear: the regional level has established itself as the expected level of confidence and efficiency. With 76% of French people wanting more decisions to be taken in the regions, and 64% in favor of a federal-type system, the debate is no longer about centralization versus decentralization, but about the ability of the regions to produce concrete, verifiable results for citizens. Distrust of national centers of power does not reflect a rejection of public action, but rather a refocusing of expectations on more agile, differentiated, local management, tailored to territorial realities.
Régions de France’s point of view: This unprecedented survey illustrates the French people’s desire for a profound change of method and an ambitious institutional evolution giving the Regions a greater role. As a recognized and appreciated level of public action, the Regions are considered to be the best placed to implement essential public policies. In nine areas of public action, support for strengthening regional powers is overwhelming, at between 83% and 94%. The new act of decentralization announced by the Prime Minister therefore meets deep-seated aspirations to which bold responses are expected.
