Wearing a mask, assessment of his first three years of five-year term, handover between Édouard Philippe and Jean Castex, economic recovery… The list is long of the subjects tackled by Emmanuel Macron during his television interview on Tuesday. After a morning of military celebrations and tribute to caregivers and workers on the front line during the Covid-19 crisis, the President of the Republic responded at length to Léa Salamé and Gilles Bouleau, during 1 hour and 15 minutes, on the main subjects of concern currently the French.
The Head of State has clearly expressed the directions he wishes to give for the last two years of his five-year term, under the leadership of Jean Castex, freshly appointed Prime Minister. 20 Minutes reviews these announcements.
Economic recovery
Emmanuel Macron promised "at least 100 billion euros", in addition to the 460 billion already committed in sectoral measures and support for the economy since the beginning of the epidemic. “We put with this stimulus plan, in addition to this money already put, at least 100 billion to make the industrial, ecological, local, cultural and educational revival. I am convinced that we can build a different country within ten years, ”said the President of the Republic.
He also announced an "exceptional exemption from charges" for the employment of young people. This system, intended in particular to encourage the hiring of employees with "low qualifications, up to 1.6 times the minimum wage" to make young people "the priority of this recovery", is "exceptional because it will last one to two years, we will assess it, "said the head of state.
He also stressed that any “wage moderation” must be accompanied by “profit-sharing and participation schemes” and “a moderation of dividends” within “the companies to which we abound”. The recovery plan, which must include an important ecological component including a massive plan to renovate schools and nursing homes, will be financed by European aid, as part of the recovery plan that France hopes to see adopted by the 27 countries of the world. 'EU, and through debt.
Another vast subject that is close to his heart: Emmanuel Macron has ruled out raising taxes to deal with the explosion in public spending following the coronavirus epidemic. "There is a fiscal trajectory that has been decided, voted by the national representation, it is the one that will be held," he said, adding that "we cannot solve a crisis like this by increasing Taxes ".
The return of the mandatory mask
Emmanuel Macron wants the mask to be "compulsory in all enclosed public places" from August 1, he said Tuesday, noting that there are "signs" that the epidemic is starting again " "We do it in transport, it works very well, but it's a bit erratic in closed public places (…) it means that things have to get organized", underlined during an interview on TF1 and France 2, the Head of State who "recommended to all our fellow citizens to wear the mask as much as possible when they are outside and, a fortiori, when they are in a closed place". "We are out of the first peak (...) the whole country has mobilized and we have results, since we have managed to stem the virus and return to an almost normal life," said the head of state.
But "today we have concerns", he stressed, warning that "there are indications (that) it is re-accelerating, we have signs that it is still starting a little", for example the rate of contamination per recently infected person rose slightly above 1 (an infected person contaminates more than one other person, so the epidemic increases). Recalling that "the best prevention is the barrier gestures", Emmanuel Macron said "wishes (r) that in the coming weeks we make mandatory the mask in all closed public places (...) for example from August 1".
He also displayed confidence in preparing the country to face a second wave: "yes, we will be ready" if necessary.
Ecology and pension reform
On the ecological side, he said he was in favor of a referendum on the inclusion in the Constitution of the fight against global warming and for biodiversity in our constitutional text. He also announced a massive redeployment of rail freight, small train lines and night trains as part of his ecological transition policy. "We are going to redevelop rail freight massively, we are going to redevelop night trains, we are going to redevelop small train lines, because all that saves money, allows us to reduce our emissions" of polluting emissions, he said without further details.
He also considered that France could not "save a reform" of its pension system, while recognizing that the government project could not be maintained as it was planned before the health crisis .
He again claimed "an" overcoming "of the left-right cleavage and said" radically disagree "with those who accuse the new government of leaning to the right.
On the side of feminists but for the presumption of innocence
Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that he respected feminists' "excitement and anger" after Gérald Darmanin's arrival at the Interior Ministry, because of the rape accusations against him, but defended this appointment on behalf of the presumption of innocence of which he considers himself the "guarantor". “I always respect the excitement and anger of just causes. The feminist cause, I share it, I made a common thread of this quinquennium, "said the head of state during a television interview on July 14.
However, "as true as I believe in the force of just causes, no cause is defended precisely if it is done by flouting the fundamental principles of our democracy", he argued. "If, from the moment someone is accused, but not tried, he / she somehow becomes the victim of a street judgment, or of social networks, because there is an emotion - and I can understand this emotion because I share - so (…) our democracy changes in nature, it becomes a democracy of opinion ”, continued the president. "I cherish this just cause of the fight against violence and effective gender equality, but I cherish what can make our democracy a stronger democracy, that of not yielding to constant emotion", added Mr. Macron, recalling that the "serious accusations" against Gérald Darmanin had been the subject of investigations which were classified or did not follow up.
Politics
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- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- Relaunch
- Economy
- Interview
- Emmanuel Macron
- July 14th