The new French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, will deliver his general policy speech this Tuesday at 3 p.m. to the 577 deputies of the National Assembly, a high-risk exercise in a context of political fragmentation and budgetary scarcity.
Rising taxes, all-out savings while the public deficit could reach 6% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, immigration against a backdrop of pressure from the far right are among the burning issues on which the former envoy is expected European, aged 73, whose negotiating skills are more than ever put to the test.
Michel Barnier presents his 5 major projects
First of these: the standard of living of the French.
“A government that will not perform miracles”
“The path is so steep,” recognizes Michel Barnier. But who is ready “to overcome one by one” the obstacles that will present themselves to them.
Michel Barnier presents his “own red lines”
“There will be no tolerance towards racism and anti-Semitism (…) violence against women (…) communitarianism (…) on the defense of secularism”.
“We are going to make dialogue and compromise a principle of the Government”
“I’m not the first to think so, I know we still have a way to go.”
Retreats: “Resuming the dialogue”
Faced with the outcry caused by the pension reform, Michel Barnier wants to relaunch reflection and debate.
“I am ready to open a discussion without ideology on proportional voting”
The Prime Minister is not against the idea of debating a change of ballot in the legislative elections.
Michel Barnier advocates a new working method
“Need for listening, respect and dialogue between the Government and Parliament. I will ask my government to rely more on parliamentary work: amendments, legislative proposals… I would like there to be less texts and that there is more time to debate them.
Large and very large companies: Michel Barnier requires additional effort
Ditto for wealthy French people, from whom “an exceptional contribution” will be requested.
The deputies of La France Insoumise brandish their voter cards
At the start of the speech, the deputies expressed their dissatisfaction with the appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister.
“Reduce the deficit to 5% in 2025, below 3% in 2029”
Michel Barnier sets the course: “The real sword of Damocles is our debt which is colossal”. “Let’s not tell ourselves stories: public spending represents 5,000 euros on average in public spending on average for each French person. The first remedy for debt is reducing spending.”
Michel Barnier presents “a double roadmap”
“Reduction of our double budgetary and ecological debt”, “tell the truth”. “The State must be exemplary. The French expect us to face the truth.”
Barnier: “We are not starting from almost nothing”
“I am starting from a popular vote which elected you and which reflects strong, urgent, justified expectations”.
Michel Barnier begins his speech
“Before beginning this general policy statement, let me simply tell you my emotion in taking part with all of you in this minute of silence in memory of Philippine.”
How will Michel Barnier be received?
This is “THE” question that agitates observers of the political world: how will the opposition deputies welcome the new Prime Minister? Answer in a few moments.
Minute of silence
Before Michel Barnier’s speech, a minute of silence will be respected in memory of Philippine, killed in the Bois de Boulogne.
The Prime Minister should present 5 major projects
Purchasing power, public services, security, immigration and fraternity.
Michel Barnier arrived at the Palais Bourbon
The Prime Minister left Matignon. He will appear before the deputies in a few moments to present his general policy speech.
A “recovery budget”
The Prime Minister will defend a “recovery budget” centered on “reducing public spending”, according to government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. The general policy speech “will be a political and not financial framing speech”, said Michel Barnier’s entourage.
Motion of censure
The left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP) plans to immediately draw up a motion of censure which has little chance of being voted on, where the National Rally does not envisage any veto “a priori” while brandishing the threatens to bring down the government if its policies do not suit it.
Also read:
“It is a democratic hold-up which allowed Michel Barnier to be at the head of this government”: the left announces the filing of a motion of censure against the government
Security and migration policy
In addition to public finances, Michel Barnier is expected to discuss security and migration policy, themes on which the new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, gave a very firm speech, approved by the far right.
Also read:
“Bruno Retailleau, we have the impression that he is a spokesperson for the RN”: when the far-right party welcomes the measures taken by the Minister of the Interior
Increase in taxes
In terms of taxation, “I will protect from any tax increase those who are on the ground, who work, who produce. We will appeal in an exceptional way to those who can contribute”, has already confided Michel Barnier. He should explain how he plans to do it. According to information from several media including Le Monde, he plans, among other things, to levy eight billion euros from large groups and to tax share buybacks.
Also read:
Increase in taxes: to avoid them, “we must have the courage to say where we are going to reduce spending”, assures Laurent Wauquiez
