In the context of the resumption of the pandemic in France, as the return to school approaches, Emmanuel Macron will answer questions from journalists - Chrisrophe Simon / AP / SIPA

After the media return of Jean Castex, place to that of Emmanuel Macron. This Friday, the President of the Republic will answer questions from journalists from the Presidential Press Association. This exchange at the invitation of the association, is part of the executive's communication offensive to reassure the French in the face of economic and health threats.

The question-and-answer session, which will take place in the afternoon, should be devoted to the major issues of this difficult return to school, between new health constraints and a recovery plan to support an economy at half mast.

A first since confinement

This is the first time since confinement that the Head of State will find himself facing an assembly of journalists, after months of solemn speeches or exchanges in a very small committee. It will not be a traditional press conference - he has only given one since his election - since the meeting will not be recorded or filmed.

It comes the day after the press conference by Prime Minister Jean Castex who announced that 21 departments were now placed in the red zone in the face of a virus which "is regaining ground".

Priority to the health issue

During August, the executive decided to postpone the presentation of the recovery plan for one week, after noting that concerns about Covid-19 had returned to the fore, ahead of economic concerns, and to devote this week to a general mobilization against the rebound of the epidemic, explained a government source.

After an active summer break on the diplomatic level, the head of state held a special Covid defense council on Tuesday. The Prime Minister and several members of the government, including the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer, then increased the number of speeches on the health response.

The presidential election in everyone's mind

At 21 months of the presidential election, the Head of State intends to show that he can overcome the crisis and if possible put the country back on track by 2022. A date that is already in everyone's mind, including oppositions of right as of left.

  • Jean Castex
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Coronavirus