The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, gave an interview on Thursday to several regional press dailies. While defending the "course" chosen in 2017, the Head of State considers it necessary to "draw a new path around the economic, social, environmental and cultural reconstruction of the country".

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It is a privileged way to reach, from the Élysée, a maximum of French people: Emmanuel Macron chose, Thursday, to give an interview to several daily newspapers of the regional press. In this interview, the head of state defends his policy, while acknowledging a few "blunders" on form. But it also outlines prospects for the end of the five-year period, giving priority to youth, health and old age. The President of the Republic intends to pursue reforms in order, in particular, to arm France against the economic crisis.

A course which "remains true" but "a part of awkwardness"

On the balance sheet, Emmanuel Macron remains on a line he has always held since the start of his mandate: defend the background while conceding a few failures on form. "I believe that the course on which I embarked on in 2017 remains true," he explains to the PQR. But "I have my share of clumsiness". "I have sometimes considered it necessary to go quickly on certain reforms." Which led him, he believes, to abrupt sometimes. "I have sometimes given the feeling of wanting to make reforms against people."

On the form, the refocusing is visible in the interview itself. Emmanuel Macron mentions on several occasions social dialogue and the social partners, he who had so far been very often singled out for his contempt for intermediary bodies.

"Back to school will be very hard"

Emmanuel Macron intends to continue the reforms, made all the more necessary, he believes, by the complicated economic situation post-crisis of the coronavirus. "The start of the school year will be very hard, we have to prepare for it. So we have to draw a new path." This new path, the Head of State "sees it around the economic, social, environmental and cultural reconstruction of the country. It begins with the Ségur de la santé, it will continue with a project on the elderly, then on the "support for our youth, who suffered the most from the crisis. It is from them that we asked the most sacrifices."

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These are the priorities set and a few outlines. Emmanuel Macron promises to go "much further" on the issue of youth employment with "financial incentives to hire and a set of measures to leave no young person without solution". 

Retirement reform retained but "transformed"

The President of the Republic, who had mentioned the need to "work more" to face the economic crisis, clarified his thoughts during this river interview. Does he want to touch the 35 hours? He does not answer the question. On the other hand, Emmanuel Macron confirms that the pension reform has not been abandoned. "The debate over the duration of the number of years of contributions continues to arise. We must be honest with ourselves," he said.

"Should pension reform be thrown away? No, that would be a mistake." The latter may nevertheless undergo adjustments, in particular on the sensitive subject of the pivotal age. "I will ask the government to quickly re-engage in-depth consultation, in a dialogue of responsibility. All of this must be put on the table. I am open to that [the reform] be transformed."

"My role is not to comment on French political life"

Questioned on the subjects of internal politics, Emmanuel Macron makes responses from Normand. On the reshuffle, in particular, and the possibility of replacing Edouard Philippe in Matignon, the head of state is very sybillin. Welcoming the "remarkable work" of his Prime Minister, he praises their "relationship of trust which is, from a certain point of view, unique on the scale of the 5th Republic". But on the other hand, "I would have to make choices to lead the new path," he warns. And "behind, there will be a new team".

On the poor results of LREM in the municipal elections, Emmanuel Macron takes refuge behind a very Gaullist conception of the role of the Head of State in order not to respond. "My role is not to comment on French political life. From where I am, I congratulate all the mayors that the French have given themselves and I want to work with them."

No need to really hope more about his intentions for 2022. "I have no right to make calculations for myself. It would mean giving up taking useful risks to revive the economy."