EDITORIAL. Electricity, medical franchises… the government faces the perilous exit from “whatever it takes”

After the increase in the price of electricity, room for that of medical franchises. These two successive increases which directly affect daily life represent a political risk for the executive.

After that of electricity prices on Sunday, the government confirmed, Monday January 22, another increase, that of medical deductibles. Two increases which are neither of the same nature nor of the same magnitude. Between 8.6 and 9.8%, increase, depending on the contracts, for electricity. A doubling from 50 cents to one euro for deductibles on boxes of medicine and paramedical procedures.

Two increases which were expected but which directly affect the daily lives of the French, as such, they present a real political risk for the executive. Inflation has slowed, but it remains high and price reductions for certain food products will not be felt for several weeks. However, these two increases, electricity and medical deductibles, follow one another, one after the other, and the government does not really do any education.

In view of the calamitous state of public finances and the Social Security deficit, which is expected to spiral to more than 11 billion in 2024, the government probably could not act otherwise. But this does not exclude arguing and making an effort to explain to public opinion. On January 16, during his press conference, Emmanuel Macron simply stated that going from 50 cents to one euro per box of medicine was not, I quote, “a terrible crime”. That’s true, but a little abrupt.

“Empowering” the French

As for the Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, he justified the increase in the price of electricity by the invasion of Ukraine by “Marine Le Pen’s friend, Vladimir Putin”. This is not completely wrong, but probably a little short. The minister also underlined the need to put an end to the tariff shield on energy which has weighed down the State’s accounts to the tune of nine billion.

This is the famous “whatever it takes” exit, a death of order that can veer off the road. In any case, it is a dangerous turn. The government claims “take responsibility” the French and their consumption of electricity or medicines. “Empower yourself”, the word was repeated by the Head of State regarding the increase in franchises. It is a laudable objective but difficult to achieve when the same Emmanuel Macron has long opened the floodgates of public spending to cuddle the French with checks and shields. And that he always seems to take deficits lightly by refusing to sound the alarm on the scale of the deficits.