France, Jan. 1 -- "I will be at work until the very last second, striving each day to live up to the mandate you entrusted to me," he said in a televised New Year's Eve address.

The president spoke as his poll ratings were at an all-time low since he first became head of state in 2017.

Political deadlock has gripped France ever since Macron took the gamble of calling snap polls in 2024, leading to him losing his majority and the far right gaining ground in parliament.

The new year is to be Macron's last full one in office before the 2027 presidential elections, for which pollsters have predicted a victory for the far right.

"I will do everything I can to ensure the presidential election proceeds as calmly as possible -- in particular ...