Emmanuel Macron reveals the broad outlines of the end of his five-year term

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In an interview given this Thursday July 2 to the regional press, Emmanuel Macron detailed his priorities for "economic, social and environmental reconstruction" of the country, while announcing a "very hard" return to school.

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The French must prepare for a " very hard  " return  , warns Emmanuel Macron. In this interview with the regional press, the French president also outlines the main lines of his strategy for the last two years of his five-year term which should end in the spring of 2022. "  The revival of the economy, the pursuit of the refoundation of our social and environmental protection, the reestablishment of a just republican order, the defense of European sovereignty  ”, will be in the government's roadmap.

Relaunching pension reform

The Head of State confirms that he wants to start the pension reform, but "  transformed  ", and hopes to resume negotiations with the social partners this summer. He said he was in favor of extending the duration of contributions, a parameter that has so far been ruled out. "  This reform cannot be resumed unchanged at the end of the crisis, but the question of the number of years during which we contribute remains raised,  " he said, estimating that France cannot remain "  one of the countries where we works the least throughout life in Europe  ". As for whether or not to maintain the pivotal age at 64, dear to Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, the president replied that he was "  open to the (reform) being transformed  ".

Emmanuel Macron also welcomes the relationship built with German Chancellor Angela Merkel which led to the proposal of a recovery plan of 750 billion euros at European level, in response to the coronavirus crisis. "  We worked hard for several weeks with Angela Merkel in a confidential manner to build a Franco-German agreement which recognizes that the Euro zone and the European market can collapse with this crisis. We agree to issue debt together,  ”he recalls.

However, this plan must be approved unanimously by the 27 EU countries. It arouses reservations in at least four of them, nicknamed the "  frugal  ": Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Denmark.

"A new team"

Emmanuel Macron also confirms the reshuffle expected after the municipal elections. “  I would have to make choices to lead the new path. These are new objectives of independence, reconstruction, reconciliation and new methods to be implemented. Behind, there will be a new team,  ”he said, without however revealing it.

The president remains elusive as to the keeping at the head of this new government of his Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, in office since his election in 2017. "  For the past three years with me, he has been doing remarkable work with successive governments and we have led important, historic reforms, often in very difficult circumstances  , ”he underlines.

(With AFP)

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• France
• Emmanuel Macron
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