Invited to France 2’s “20 Heures”, the Prime Minister notably promised that he would not increase taxes for the “most modest” French people and that he wanted to “improve pension reform”.
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First interview since the appointment of his ministers. Michel Barnier was the guest on France 2’s “20 Heures” on Sunday, September 22. The Prime Minister first called “cohesion” and to “brotherhood” within his government, promising “compromise” “for the progress of the country”. Michel Barnier then covered topics dear to the French. Taxes, pension reform, women’s and LGBT rights… Franceinfo summarizes what you need to remember from this speech.
He assures that he is not “cohabiting” with Emmanuel Macron and will not run in 2027.
“We are not in cohabitation. The bulk of the parliamentary base that supports the government is made up of many personalities who have supported the government for seven years.”said Michel Barnier, while the second round of early legislative elections produced an Assembly divided into three blocs. The Prime Minister also assured “that the complementarity will be good with the President of the Republic.” “There will be no controversy with the President of the Republic. (…) It is in the interest of the country. We also need this spirit of positive, dynamic compromise with the Head of State”he added.
Finally, he affirmed that he will not run in the 2027 presidential election. “I want to serve for two years.”
Michel Barnier: “I will not be a candidate in 2027”
Michel Barnier: “I will not be a candidate in 2027”
(FRANCE 2)
He intends to increase the contribution of the “wealthiest people”
The Prime Minister said he would ask “for the richest to take part in the solidarity effort”. “I am not going to increase taxes further on all French people, neither on the poorest, nor on people who work, nor on the middle classes”, promised Michel Barnier. For him, “the wealthiest people” must contribute more.
Large companies should also be concerned: “I do not want to aggravate the double ecological and financial debt, so we must make a collective effort to control spending, this can be done in particular with targeted levies on wealthy people, or certain large companies”he added. Asked whether he ruled out a corporate tax increase, he replied: “I’m not saying that, but I think that very large companies can also contribute to the national recovery effort.”.
Michel Barnier on pension reform: “I want to trust the social partners to improve this law”
He promises to “improve pension reform”
Although it came into force a year ago, Michel Barnier promised to “take the time to improve pension reform”. “We have a law that provides a financial framework and I think that this financial framework must be preserved”stressed the head of government, who wishes “trusting social partners” to make adjustments. The weeks of mobilization had not prevented the gradual postponement of the legal retirement age to 64.
Michel Barnier on pension reform: “I want to trust the social partners to improve this law”
He assures that social and societal laws will be “fully preserved”
THE “great laws” of “social or societal progress”, such as those on voluntary termination of pregnancy or medically assisted procreation, will be “completely preserved”assured the Prime Minister. “I will be a bulwark to ensure that all of these acquired rights are preserved.” in terms “of freedoms, of social progress”. “There is no ambiguity”he hammered home, the day after the presentation of his government, which included several conservative ministers. Gabriel Attal had asked Michel Barnier earlier on Sunday for guarantees on “PMA, the right to abortion, LGBT rights”.
Michel Barnier: “There is no ambiguity” regarding the major laws on abortion or medically assisted procreation for all
He wants to make mental health “the great national cause” in 2025
Michel Barnier has announced that he wants to make “mental health” there “great national cause” of the year 2025, recalling the family origins of this commitment: his mother “was for 35 years president of an association that exists at the national level, the National Union of Friends and Families of the Mentally Ill”. Psychiatry is undergoing a serious and persistent crisis in France: a third of hospital practitioner positions are vacant and the volume of beds is decreasing, while the number of patients has doubled over the last twenty years. A National Refoundation Council (CNR) dedicated to mental health was scheduled for this summer, but was cancelled after the dissolution of the National Assembly. Since the announcement of the composition of the new government, associations of disabled people have deplored the absence of a portfolio dedicated to this subject, which will be carried by the Minister of Solidarity and Autonomy, Paul Christophe.
Michel Barnier wants to make mental health “the great national cause in 2025”