Appointed on September 5, Michel Barnier then took 17 days to form his government. For François Bayrou, who took his place on December 13, it will only have been ten days since it should be done this Monday, before Christmas. That doesn't make him a monster of diligence: we will have to wait until January 14 and his declaration of general policy, that is to say 24 long days, for the mystery to be lifted about his project. For comparison, we had to wait eleven days to know that of his predecessor, except that Matignon had leaked some ideas in terms of reductions in charges and tax increases, due to a budgetary emergency.
Three months later, even if it seems like a mission impossible, the absolute priority is still the development of a finance law. Given the political chaos, the rest becomes almost incidental, unfortunately. However, apart from some clarifications provided Thursday evening on France 2, which at times smacked of unpreparedness, we know nothing or very little of François Bayrou's intentions. At this stage, the “what” has faded in favor of the “who” – which government and with which heavyweights. The centrist pretends to take his time, even allowing himself the luxury (which he does not, however, have) of confusing people's minds.
What does it mean to want to “resume without suspending” pension reform? What is this fad of promising to look for “new solutions” between now and September while bringing back the very complicated points system? He would have liked to place the incandescent question of pensions at the heart of possible future legislative elections in the fall of 2025, but he would not have done it otherwise… As if that were the emergency.
It's the time of wishes. Let us say that François Bayrou and his future government find a compass. And quickly.
