In an interview given on Friday evening to the TF1 channel, Michel Barnier partially lifted the veil on his intentions at the head of the future French government, the composition of which is currently underway.
In this regard, the new tenant of the Elysée Palace specified that he was aware that his mission would be perilous. “due to the unprecedented situation” in the National Assembly, now divided into three large blocs. Especially since the left of the New Popular Front has already promised to file a motion of censure against him.
But Michel Barnier assures that *his team “will not be just a right-wing government”.* He also confirmed that outgoing ministers could be part of it while remaining open-minded about the appointment of ministers from other backgrounds. “I have never been sectarian”he insisted.
As a sign of this outstretched hand, Michel Barnier notably announced that he wanted Reopen the debate on pension reform that the left and the far right are considering unraveling.
But to clarify from the outset: “We are not going to question everything”. Implied, the law will remain. On the other hand, the Savoyard confirmed his intention to open the debate for a “improvement” of the reform. And to indicate that he will do so with social partnerswho he believes should be listened to more. And he promised to meet with MPs and senators to discuss this issue.
“The president must preside, the government must govern”
But Michel Barnier drew a red line in a sentence: “I want to initiate an improvement while respecting the budgetary framework” because he does not wish “increase the debt” of the country nor increase its deficit (around 5.6% of GDP while it should be below the 3% of GDP mark according to European rules).
In order to calm the anger of the left, which has not digested his nomination, the Prime Minister also declared that he was not opposed to “greater tax justice”suggesting that he would not be opposed to tax increases.
Another confirmation: the former Brexit negotiator has promised to commit to better “controlling migratory flows” as he had promised to do during his brief run for the presidency in 2022. If he has not said the word again “moratorium” On immigration, the Prime Minister, who his opponents already accuse of winking at the extreme right, promised “concrete measures” while specifying that “nobody has[vait] the monopoly on good ideas.” “We will address the problem in a rigorous and humanistic manner,” he said.
As for a possible reform of the electoral law introducing a proportional element, the Prime Minister specified that he had not “no red line” but that he needed to discuss it first with “all political groups”.
Finally, when asked about his relationship with Emmanuel Macron and about this new chapter of cohabitation that will be written between the Elysée and Matignon, Michel Barnier declared that he respected the presidential function and the man who embodied it (Emmanuel Macron). But he firmly indicated: “The president must preside, the government must govern”“I have discussed new methods, I will do so in good understanding with the president.”
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