Macron's speech: a speech to turn the page and “draw a new path”

Emmanuel Macron's TV address broadcast in a bar in Nice on June 14, 2020. REUTERS / Eric Gaillard

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Emmanuel Macron proclaimed this Sunday evening a virtual return to normal in France after three months upset by the epidemic of coronavirus, and drew a "new path" for the future, around ecology, economic sovereignty, unity of the Republic and devolution.

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Emmanuel Macron wanted to announce himself what he called a "  first victory against the virus  " which results in a passage of all the territory in the green zone with the exception of Guyana and Mayotte. And especially by a return to class of all the children from the crèche to the college. Concrete and expected announcements that will allow the French to "  rediscover the pleasure of being together  ". Which allowed, in passing, Emmanuel Macron to recall that he had made the right choice by launching the deconfinement on May 11.

► Read also: What to remember from Emmanuel Macron's speech

Addressing the French, the Head of State wanted to turn the page on this moment when "  health has been placed above the economy  " and initiate a new stage: that of the reconstruction of the economy that he wants "  strong, ecological, sovereign and united  ". A proactive speech supposed to set the tone of his policy for the next two years to which he also added a call for unity and a position on the issue of racism which agitates society, in front of which he undertakes to be "Intractable", while warning against communitarianism and sending a message of support to the police.

Macron wants to open "  a new stage  "

Emmanuel Macron therefore defended step by step his management of the crisis, ignoring the many critics. We can be proud of what has been done and of our country,  " he said, while promising to correct "  quickly and strongly  " the "  weaknesses  " that the epidemic has exposed. We do not have to be ashamed  " of the results of these three months, insisted the president: "  Tens of thousands of lives have been saved by our choices, by our actions  ".

Satisfied also on the economic aspect of the response to the crisis, and the “  500 billion  ” mobilized: “  In how many countries has all this been done? It is a chance and it shows the strength of our state and our social model.  To finance them, Emmanuel Macron promises not to raise taxes, but rather to "  work and produce more  ", despite "  the bankruptcies and multiple social plans  " that will occur.

Only one short-term economic announcement was announced, but it was eagerly awaited: cafes and restaurants can reopen normally in Île-de-France, and no longer just on the terrace. For the rest, Emmanuel Macron says he wants to open “  a new stage  ”, that of economic recovery, which he announces “  strong  ”, “  united  ” and pledge of “  independence.  " 

"Draw a new path"

It also promises many investments. To "  create new jobs  ", Emmanuel Macron intends to invest in "  the technological, digital, industrial and agricultural independence  " of France. The president is even considering "  relocations  " and has also announced an "   ecological reconstruction plan ". But also a "  revival through health  ", with investments in hospitals and city medicine. 

As the economic and social clouds pile up, Emmanuel Macron has also focused a lot on the post-health crisis. The times demand to draw a new path  " for the last two years of the quinquennium, said the head of state from the Elysee. Each of us has to reinvent ourselves  ," he said. A mantra that he says applies "  first and foremost  " to himself.

The very raised oppositions

Very rebounded, oppositions of all stripes immediately criticized an "  exercise in self-satisfaction  ". “A  surrealist start, E. Macron is happy with the management of the crisis. He forgets that our country will have a very high mortality per million inhabitants and one of the most violent economic recessions in the world,  "reacted the boss of the senators LR Bruno Retailleau.

Reinvention feels furiously the world before. Especially since it is in contradiction with everything that his ministers are doing. I am thinking, for example, of giving so much money to companies without any consideration.

Eric Coquerel, member of the rebellious France

RFI

Also on the left, the Head of State made his teeth cringe, especially those of the First Secretary of the PS Olivier Faure. Tonight what we wanted to hear was not to tell us" I was great "for the past, but to tell us how we engage the French on the road to rapid recovery  ", he attacked. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the Insoumis, has denounced a "  rain of truisms, stolen words and clichés  ", saying that the head of state "  drunk  ", while the deputy LFI Alexis Corbière blasted a "  puffy speech of self-satisfaction  ".

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  • France
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Coronavirus