Government “before Christmas”, budget by “mid-February”… What to remember from the interview with François Bayrou in “L’Evénement” on France 2

François Bayrou was the guest of “L’Evénement, l’interview” on France 2, Thursday December 19. This was the first interview with the head of government since his appointment to Matignon by Emmanuel Macron. Crisis in Mayotte, new government, pension reform, 2025 budget… The new Prime Minister covered the burning issues of the moment. He notably said that he hoped to appoint a government “during the weekend”, “at least before Christmas”. Here’s what to remember from his interview.

He wants rapid reconstruction in Mayotte, “perhaps” in “two years”

The Prime Minister hopes that the reconstruction of Mayotte, devastated by Cyclone Chido five days ago, can be done within a timely manner. “brief”, “maybe two years.” “I think we need to set a much shorter deadline than five years” of the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, a comparison made by Emmanuel Macron from Mayotte.

“I hope we will succeed. It’s a superhuman, immense task”he added, referring to the presentation of a “special law”to rebuild the archipelago. “Everyone trembles at the thought of the real number of victims”, he also declared, while the latest official report shows 31 deaths, a report very far from reality, as Emmanuel Macron confirmed a little earlier on site.

He hopes for a government “before Christmas”

François Bayrou wishes that “during the weekend” the new government “be presented”, “in any case, before Christmas.”The Prime Minister, appointed on December 13 by Emmanuel Macron, has increased consultations with the different parties in recent days. In particular, on Thursday in Matignon, he received all the political forces with the exception of La France insoumise and the National Rally. “I think everyone needs to take responsibility. What awaits us is so difficult that we need to come together.” he also pleaded.

François Bayrou also drew “several circles” within the political class. The “first circle” with “those who want to participate” and can join its future government. Where the “second circle” rather understands “those who are in opposition” but who “agree to dialogue”.The new Prime Minister also wants Bruno Retailleau to remain in government, believing that he “has shown in recent weeks and months that it has found decisions and directions that respond to part of what public opinion demands.” But the possible maintenance of the LR framework at the Ministry of the Interior, iirritates the Socialist Party, with whom François Bayrou is seeking to establish a non-censorship agreement.

He “believes” in another solution than raising the age to 64 for the pension system

François Bayrou wants to believe that there can be another solution for financing the pension system than postponing the age from 62 to 64, as was included in the law last year with the highly contested reform . Asked if there was another solution other than raising the age, the Prime Minister replied : “Yes, I think so.” He also recalled that he had been “a points retirement activist”a reform presented but never voted on during Emmanuel Macron’s first five-year term.

“We can find a different organization, but we will also have to ask ourselves the question of financing,” warned François Bayrou, who proposed Thursday afternoon to political forces and social partners to reopen a discussion on pensions for nine months, but “without suspending” the 2023 reform, “because, when we suspend, obviously, we never resume”.

He will not use 49.3, “unless there is an absolute blockage on the budget”

“I will not use 49.3, unless there is an absolute blockage on the budget. (…) I want as much dialogue as possible. And on the other texts, I will not use 49.3, unless there is a disaster “declared the Prime Minister, who will find himself, like his predecessor, facing a very divided National Assembly. With this statement he addressed to the parties “in opposition” but who “agree to dialogue” and not to overthrow his government.

He “hopes” for the adoption of a 2025 budget “in mid-February”

François Bayrou finally said he hoped for the adoption of a budget “in mid-February”while work in this direction was interrupted by the motion of censure which overthrew the previous government. “I hope we can have it in mid-February. I’m not sure I’ll get there,” however conceded the Prime Minister, who specified that he would start again from “the copy that was voted on” in Parliament before the censorship of Michel Barnier’s government.

Pending the adoption of a formal finance bill for 2025, a special law was adopted in Parliament on Wednesday. She authorizes the executive to levy taxes and borrow to finance the State and Social Security. François Bayrou also said he wanted “a plan to rebalance our public finances” and aims to return to balance within 10 years. Concerning the taxation of large businesses, he said he would take “this matter seriously”.

He felt “pain” for Nicolas Sarkozy after his conviction

François Bayrou said he had “penalty” for the former President of the Republic after his conviction to one year in prison under an electronic bracelet for corruption and influence peddling in the wiretapping affair. “I faced Nicolas Sarkozy hard in my life, and when I learned of this verdict, it hurt me” pour “him and for his” et “I know what it’s like to find yourself before the apparatus of justice. And I can’t erase that feeling”declared the Prime Minister. He himself was acquitted in February in the affair of the assistants of MEPs from his party, the MoDem, in the European Parliament. The prosecution, however, appealed, and the date of the appeal trial has not yet been set.

He paid tribute to Gisèle Pelicot

After a first message on dozens of men.

“I say thank you to him, I was overcome with admiration at this incredible audacity to agree to expose the worst of the worst for others”he said about Gisèle Pelicot, who had opposed the behind closed doors and requested a public hearing before the Vaucluse criminal court. He also described it as “very courageous”.