Macron’s job is on the line and these contenders might grab it By Ania Nussbaum / Bloomberg In exactly 12 months time, the French are to start the process of deciding whether they want to keep Emmanuel Macron as president or dismiss him. The 43-year-old former investment banker-turned-president has been bruised by his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, rallies against police violence and strikes against his pension reform, as well protests by the “yellow vests” movement that demands greater economic equality. There is also a perception that he is arrogant and aloof. Even so, Macron’s approval rating is about 40 percent in surveys. He can count on a strong base of loyal voters, and with the left and right-wing parties in disarray and bickering over who will represent them in April next year, he is almost certain to make it to the second round of the election — probably finding himself again facing off against far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen.