In the aftermath of Emmanuel Macron’s re-election for a second presidential term, the first economic project that emerges is purchasing power. It is the first concern of the French, while the rise in prices promises to last a few months on food, fuel. Most of the anti-inflation measures stop this summer, in particular the rebate of 18 euro cents at the pump. A priori, the price of oil will not fall and it will be difficult to tell the French that there is no more help when they go on vacation for those who can.
According to information from franceinfo, the Bercy teams are already working on a replacement device for this discount: more targeted aid, subject to resource conditions, focused on motorists who drive a lot. For this, the Ministry of Economy and Finance crosses the files of gray cards, technical controls, which allows to see if you are a big wheeler. The idea is to offer a fuel check, or a tax credit. But the form and the amount are not yet defined.
Emmanuel Macron has promised to extend the tariff shield – which blocks the rise in gas prices – until the end of the year if he is elected. But, we must therefore see if he renews it in the same terms or if he still plans to charge a small part to the French. He also promised to index pensions to inflation as of this summer, that is to say by at least 4%.
It went a little unnoticed, but the president also promised to make a move on social minima this summer: disabled adult allowance, RSA. It would be a question of indexing them to the level of inflation to avoid losses of purchasing power.
In fact, Emmanuel Macron has planned to pass a law very quickly, a large “inflation package” worth several tens of billions of euros.
The president plans a major social conference with unions and employers on pension reform. To pass a text quickly, no ordinance or referendum is planned. Emmanuel Macron hopes to pass the pill of the shift in the retirement age to 64 by taking better care of the hardship for difficult jobs, with new, more individual criteria and by improving the organization of career ends, the work of older people.
But Emmanuel Macron expects major demonstrations. His fear: that this pension reform crystallizes opposition and resuscitates the movement of yellow vests. The president knows that he plays big on this file.