Faced with threats of censorship, Michel Barnier believes that the French want “stability” and “serenity”

“It’s quite motivating to say that we can leave tomorrow morning,” quipped the Prime Minister Thursday afternoon before the 106th Congress of Mayors.

Faced with threats of censorship brandished by the left and the extreme right, Michel Barnier estimated Thursday, November 21 that the French rather wanted “stability, serenity”. “The time I have ahead of me depends on a possible coalition of opposites, if I may say so, in the National Assembly”declared the Prime Minister before the 106th Congress of Mayors, which is being held in Paris. “I don't know if this will happen. I am ready for it. I know that this is not what the French want, who today want stability, serenity”he added.

“It’s quite motivating to say to yourself that we can leave tomorrow morning,” he quipped. “More [aussi] to say to yourself that it's not sure, that it could last two and a half years”, until the 2027 presidential election, he continued.

The Prime Minister also had a word on the budget currently being examined in Parliament, while local authorities have sometimes been judged responsible for the deterioration of public finances. “It is not normal or fair to show municipalities and local authorities as if they were responsible for the deficit: that is not true”estimated Michel Barnier. Local elected officials are up in arms against the draft budget, accused of threatening investment and public services.