- Tweeter
republish
Upon his arrival on the island of Reunion this Wednesday, October 23, Emmanuel Macron was caught up by the issue of the cost of living that had sparked the social crisis a few months ago. As in Mayotte, the president came to tell the population that he had heard the claims.
" Here, it's expensive, we can not live anymore. Could you, you could live, with less than 1500 €, here in Reunion ? "Launched by a passerby during a stroll of the President of the Republic in the rain, the interpellation summarizes the expectations of the Reunion. Emmanuel Macron knows that it happens then that the social climate is not appeased on the island where the movement of yellow vests had been particularly strong.
►Also read: In Mayotte, Macron waited on the theme of immigration but not only
About 200 of them had gathered at the airport to wait for the President of the Republic, reports our special correspondent Valérie Gas . The reception committee was removed by the police before the arrival of Emmanuel Macron, who immediately wanted to show that he had come to appease things.
"I know the anger that is expressed"
" I know all the difficulties that have occurred and sometimes the anger that has been expressed in this territory, " said the President of the Republic. But I want to say to the Reunion Islanders that we not only believe in their future, but that we will continue to act strongly and with heart to help them, support the initiatives, and improve the daily life. "
During his stay, which will end Friday, October 25, the president, accompanied by the ministers of the Economy, Labor and Agriculture, should meet Thursday job seekers in a local mission in Saint-Laurent. Paul, meet with participants in the new " citizen representations " set up after the Yellow Vests crisis, and picnicking with representatives of the local agricultural production sectors in Petite-Ile, south of the island.
Give pledges, show that things are moving forward and that answers are being provided. This is what Emmanuel Macron will dedicate during this stay in Reunion. In this territory of over 850,000 inhabitants, 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, the unemployment rate reaches 24%, and even 42% among young people. The cost of living for an average household budget Reunion is increased by 7.1% compared to the city, according to INSEE, while Reunion's median income is 30% lower at the national level.