French Prime Minister Outlines Government Priorities Amidst Political Crisis

Addressing Multiple Crises

• ⚠️ The Prime Minister acknowledges a deep-seated social, economic, financial, environmental, and cultural crisis facing France.
• 🌍 In addition to these, unforeseen crises like COVID-19, the energy crisis, and war are adding to expenditure and global geopolitical shifts.
• 💡 The current world is characterized by profound societal change, creating fear and concern, with a clear division between the world of before and the world of tomorrow.

Call for Innovation and Unity

• 🚀 France must innovate politically, socially, and scientifically to remain a significant country.
• 🤝 The government aims to move beyond divisions and conflicts, seeking understanding and agreement with the National Assembly and Senate to address citizens' concerns.
• ✅ A renewed government, reflecting national competencies and providing stability, is presented as a roadmap for navigating future difficulties.

Reforming Political Processes

• 🗣️ The government commits to upholding its convictions while embracing openness to discussion and seeking agreement over division.
• 🗳️ A significant shift is announced: the government will no longer use Article 493 of the constitution for the budget and other key topics, instead bringing them to a vote to empower the National Assembly.
• ⚖️ This move is framed as a revolutionary step to give democracy a renewed role, allowing parliamentarians to take responsibility and vote on crucial issues like the budget and social security.

Economic and Fiscal Priorities

• 📉 The government plans to reduce the deficit to below 5% of GDP by 2025 to protect national sovereignty.
• ⚖️ Tax policies will be adjusted, with taxes dropping for SMEs and increasing for some large companies, alongside a review of taxes burdening lower-income households.
• 💰 Large wealth holders will be called upon to contribute more towards infrastructure and ecological transition.

Pension System Reform and Social Issues

• 🛠️ The government is ready for reform of the pension system, acknowledging tensions and a sense of injustice, but emphasizes the need for compromise and dialogue.
• 🗓️ A conference on the pension system will be organized, with reforms to be discussed and potentially voted on, but no measures will take effect before January 1, 2028.
• 📈 Efforts will be made to encourage internal social mobility, support job seekers, and improve purchasing power, with a focus on attractiveness of key trades and difficult work.

Decentralization and Future Challenges

• 🏛️ A decentralization bill will be put forward to bolster local powers and improve public services, emphasizing shared responsibility and means.
• 🌍 Proposals for environmental action will be presented, with an urgent need to act now rather than delaying reforms.
• 🤝 The government is committed to fostering national unity and sharing power with social partners and local government to address urgent issues and move forward.