- Emmanuel Macron has promised to face the coronavirus “whatever it costs”.
- Some economists critical of liberalism militate for a real economic turning point.
- The emblematic reforms of the quinquennium are not, for the moment, in question.
As the apostle Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion, Emmanuel Macron also seemed, by three words, to renounce his dogma according to which "there is no magic money". "Whatever it costs (...) whatever it costs (...) whatever it costs": whether to treat the sick, preserve businesses and employees' incomes, or support activity, the head of state promised Thursday evening that the government would not watch the expense to fight against the coronavirus. These measures "will cost tens of billions of euros", explained this Friday the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire. The change in tone is radical: in 2017, the same Bruno Le Maire, in the line of Emmanuel Macron, judged that France was "addicted to public spending".
Would the coronavirus shock have caused a change of vision at the Elysée? Critical economists of neoliberalism interviewed by 20 Minutes ask to see. "A crisis like this serves to reveal," wants to believe Christophe Ramaux, researcher at Paris-I University and member of the dismayed Economists. We realize at the top of the state that health is not just a cost. I welcome the president's praise of the welfare state and public services. The question now is how big and how deep the course will change. "
Review software
For the economist, the current crisis must provoke a radical change of software. "We must break with the budgetary austerity that was the norm in Europe," continues Christophe Ramaux. This means reshaping European rules (limiting debt to 60% of GDP and deficit to 3%) by putting pressure on Germany. Liberal globalization must also be called into question, because it is based on social, fiscal and environmental dumping, and it creates health vulnerabilities: today, the production of masks or drugs is outsourced. We have to move in the direction of relocation ”.
Also a member of the dismayed Economists, researcher Fabienne Orsi, attached to the Research Institute for Development, is rather reserved on Emmanuel Macron's desire for profound change. "It has been months, years, that research and the French health system, the two pillars of the fight against the coronavirus, have been lessened by political choices," she believes. Coronavirus research programs were cut after the 2003 SARS epidemic. If there had been more funding, we might not be there. "She concludes:" We dare to hope that Emmanuel Macron's speech is not purely demagogic. We are awaiting concrete measures, such as higher caregiver salaries and massive recruitments for hospitals. ”
Have a "mattress"
But this economic discourse is not shared by everyone. Emmanuel Jessua, director of studies at Rexecode, an institute close to Medef, calls for caution. “What is being announced is exceptional measures in exceptional circumstances. It is not a paradigm shift, he judges. We have a very significant shock, with a risk of recession which requires emergency measures ”. But “these measures are not intended to be sustainable. "Once the crisis is over," to face the next one will have to have a mattress, security that relies on budgetary efforts when things get better ".
He concludes: “This overall budgetary constraint does not necessarily exclude that there are places where we choose to spend more. We could for example decide to save on pensions and spend more on hospitals or research. ”
For the moment, Emmanuel Macron has not in any case planned to return to the pension reform or that of unemployment insurance, two emblematic promises of the quinquennium strongly criticized by the unions, who fear a decline in social rights . Proof that everything has not (yet?) Changed at the Elysée.
Cinema
Coronavirus: Cinema outings are strongly impacted by the epidemic
World
Coronavirus: Ursula von der Leyen warns of border closings
- Economy
- Pension reform
- Emmanuel Macron
- Coronavirus
- Recovery plan