After meeting with the CFDT Secretary General, Marylise Léon, early in the afternoon, Prime Minister Michel Barnier will host the head of Medef on Tuesday, September 24, at 4:30 p.m. at Matignon. He has opened the possibility ofavoiding tax increases for companies under certain conditions. The head of government will discuss matters with Patrick Martin, accompanied by Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, Minister of Labor and Employment, and Antoine Armand, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry. Stay tuned for our live updates.
Antoine Armand will soon meet with “all the political forces represented in Parliament.” “The economic and financial situation in France necessitates broad consultation among the elected representatives of the nation (…) [The Minister of the Economy] will soon invite each group leader to this end to discuss the economic and financial challenges facing the country,” assures the Ministry of Economy in a press release. This invitation follows the declaration of the new head of Bercy on France Inter, where he excluded the National Rally from “the republican arc,” which prompted criticism from Michel Barnier.
Michel Barnier will present his general policy statement on Tuesday, October 1, at 3 p.m. To prepare for this session before the National Assembly, ministers are set to meet on Friday afternoon for a “government seminar.” The first question-and-answer session with the government will take place on October 2, starting at 2 p.m., as reported by officials close to the President of the National Assembly.
Didier Migaud “hesitated” to join the government but intends to uphold his “convictions.” “I had my doubts, but the Prime Minister also spoke to me about openness, dialogue, and balance. I trust him to make sound decisions,” declared the Minister of Justice during his first visit to the Santé prison in Paris. He also noted that “the“execution rate of sentences has never been higher” in France, while Bruno Retailleau, his counterpart at the Interior Ministry, criticized the and “right to non-execution of sentences.”
The proposal to repeal the LFI pension reform will be presented in the Assembly on November 28. The La France Insoumise deputies will advocate for this proposal during their parliamentary niche. Meanwhile, the LFI group will “invite and listen to all unions that wish to participate” alongside its left-wing allies from the New Popular Front “if they so desire.” The proposal put forward by the National Rally will be reviewed on October 31 at the National Assembly.
Emmanuel Macron and Michel Barnier have hit new lows in popularity. The President of the Republic and the new Prime Minister are seeing record unpopularity, with just 25% of favorable opinions for Macron and 39% for Barnier, according to an Odoxa-Mascaret poll published on Tuesday, conducted for Public Senate and 20 regional daily newspapers. For Emmanuel Macron, this marks an “absolute record of unpopularity in seven years” of his presidency, according to this study.
Recent Political Developments in France
After a productive meeting with Marylise Léon, the Secretary General of the CFDT, Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to engage with Patrick Martin, head of Medef, on Tuesday, September 24, at 4:30 p.m. at Matignon. The discussions could potentially shape the economic landscape as Martin hints at a possible no-tax increase for businesses, provided certain conditions are met. This conversation comes amid ongoing consultations among political leaders regarding France’s economic challenges.
Government Engagements: A New Era of Consultation
The current focus of the French government is to establish a broad dialogue among the political forces in Parliament. The Minister of Economy, Antoine Armand, has announced plans to meet with leaders of all political groups to address the pressing economic and financial situations facing the country. This outreach effort is crucial for fostering collaboration and consensus.
- Meeting Details: Armand will soon invite group leaders for a comprehensive discussion on the nation’s economic challenges following a statement that excluded the National Rally from the republican arc, leading to some backlash from various political figures, including Michel Barnier.
Michaël Barnier Prepares for Important Statements
Prime Minister Michel Barnier is scheduled to deliver a general policy statement on Tuesday, October 1, at 3 p.m. This statement will set the stage for a crucial meeting before the National Assembly. In preparation, the ministers will hold a government seminar this Friday afternoon.
- First Question Session: The first question session with the government is slated to commence on October 2, starting at 2 p.m., as confirmed by reliable sources within the National Assembly’s entourage.
Judicial Updates: Trust and Execution Rates
In judicial matters, Didier Migaud, the new Minister of Justice, expressed initial hesitations about joining the government but voiced optimism about Prime Minister Barnier’s vision of openness and dialogue.
- Execution of Sentences: Migaud noted that the rate of sentence execution in France has reached unprecedented levels, countering perspectives that call for a “right to non-execution of sentences,” as discussed by his colleague Bruno Retailleau.
Upcoming Proposals: Pension Reform Repeal
Significant political moves are on the horizon with the La France Insoumise (LFI) party planning to put forth a proposal to repeal the pension reform during their parliamentary niche on November 28. Additionally, this initiative is anticipated to stimulate discussions with various unions as LFI seeks to ally with left-wing partners from the New Popular Front.
- Examining the Proposal: The proposal by the National Rally will also be under review on October 31 at the National Assembly, highlighting the ongoing political maneuvering regarding pension reforms.
Polls Indicate Diminishing Popularity
Current polling indicates a worrisome drop in popularity for both President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier. According to an Odoxa-Mascaret poll published on Tuesday, Macron’s approval ratings have plummeted to an alarming 25%, while Barnier sits at 39%.
- Historical Context: This marks Macron’s lowest popularity rating in his seven years of leadership, underscoring the increasing discontent among the French public regarding the government’s handling of key issues.
Key Takeaways from Recent Developments
Implications for the French Economy
The ongoing discussions and upcoming proposals particularly concerning taxation and pension reform indicate that the government is keenly aware of the financial concerns facing the citizens of France. The potential collaborations outlined could usher in vital changes that may stabilize the economy.
Strengthening Political Alliances
The push for broader consultations and dialogue among political groups illustrates a strategic move to unify efforts in addressing France’s pressing economic challenges. The exclusion of particular groups from discussions may have implications for party dynamics moving forward.
Public Sentiment and Government Response
With the evident decline in approval ratings, it is crucial for the government to address public sentiment proactively. Engaging directly with citizens and stakeholders is essential in rebuilding trust and ensuring effective governance moving forward.
| Leader | Current Approval Rating | Polling Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Macron | 25% | Odoxa-Mascaret |
| Michel Barnier | 39% | Odoxa-Mascaret |
The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for the French government as it navigates complex economic issues and works to regain the trust of its citizens. Continuous monitoring of the political landscape will provide insights into the effectiveness of these strategies.