President Emmanuel Macron's New Year's address on December 31, 2025—the shortest since 2017 at under 10 minutes—drew 8.9 million viewers, a decline from 2024. Delivered in a tone of resignation from the Élysée Palace, it highlighted economic resilience, outlined 2026 priorities, and addressed his 2027 departure, against a backdrop of political instability and low approval ratings.
From the Salon des Ambassadeurs at the Élysée Palace, seated by a Christmas tree and candles, Macron delivered his penultimate New Year's speech without reviewing his full term, simply affirming France's strength amid public doubts.
Building on the priorities announced (voluntary national service, digital protections for youth at age 15, and end-of-life legislation), the address praised low inflation and employment gains but omitted the political crisis or public finances. In a global context of rising nationalisms—including under U.S. President Trump—Macron invoked French values of humanity, peace, and freedom, quoting Albert Camus and referencing historian Marc Bloch, soon to enter the Panthéon, to urge resistance to 'the spirit of the times.'
For the first time, he explicitly noted his ineligibility for the 2027 election, pledging to work until the last moment and protect it from foreign interference.
Viewership totaled 8.9 million (Médiamétrie), with 7.8 million on main channels: TF1 (3.15 million), France 2 (2.86 million), M6 (1.23 million), France 3 (523,000)—down from prior years, reflecting peak unpopularity post-2024 Assembly dissolution. Former PM Édouard Philippe remarked in December 2025, 'nothing important for the country will truly be done until the next presidential election.' An anonymous minister added: 'He is really in an inextricable situation. His image is very, very damaged and then there's the end-of-term effect: he is exiting the game.' Thus, Macron seems set for a lame-duck role in a divided France.
