A for rent marked by energy crisis and a possibility social explosion. The French Government is meeting this Wednesday first council of ministers after the summer vacation. This beginning of the new political route, of course, inflation and restraint measures. It is the worsening of the ordinary life of the working classes, in particular, that fuels the unrest. Seeing the current wave of strikes in the UK, the French Executive considers the following hypothesis: warm autumnDespite the unpredictability of social movements—as sociologists remind us, there is not always a direct relationship between the economic situation and protests.
“Compulsory accept the price of our freedom and values“said the president Emmanuel Macron last Friday, during the commemoration of the liberation of Bornes-las-Mimosas, where the victory over the Nazis began in the southern tip of France. This “blood, sweat and tears” speech reproduced the tone of the centrist leader in the traditional interview on July 14 (national day) when he asked the French to “collectively assume a logic of sobriety” of energy.
Before the French political class went on vacation, the National Assembly held a meeting in August. purchasing power law. With this text, some taxes were abolished (such as the audio-visual tax), rent increases were limited to 3.5%, and pensions, social assistance and civil servant salaries were increased between 3% and 4% —Inflation increase below 6.1% in France in July. In addition, a subsidy of 30 cents per liter of gasoline has been provided since September. Parliament.
“A’rent’ nitroglycerine”
This law will hardly prevent inflation and the energy crisis from marking the debate at the beginning of the new political and social trajectory. thanks to the fact that he has state power company (EDF) France, which can limit the increase in its electricity bill to 4%, recorded lower inflation than its neighbors such as Germany, Spain or Italy. But the now skyrocketing price of gas – hitting an annual record of 275 euros per megawatt hour on Wednesday – and the noisy reputation of French society, the situation could easily flare up.
“Social pressure for rent A classic at the end of every summer. But this for rent from that nitroglycerine“, Liberation noted in an editorial Monday. According to a poll for the same progressive newspaper, 68% of French believe that this decline will be determined by social movements.
“The legislative package passed by Parliament earlier in the month has never solved this problem (related to purchasing power)! But in addition, ask the French about the RSA’s unemployment system reform (equivalent to the vital importance of minimum income), silence about wages, or raise the minimum retirement age (62 to 65)… You’ll see,” he added. liberation About some of the most unpopular reforms Macronism is preparing. In principle, it is planned for the coming months, although the Administrator tries to communicate little about them.
Protests planned by the left and unions
Rebel Jean-Luc Mélenchon – strongman of the new unitary alliance. Wow— he had already organized a march in July against the “expensive life” in September. Unions also announced the first day of national protests. September 29 To condemn the government’s refusal to make a substantial increase in the lowest wages, including the minimum wage. Despite the usual distrust between the world of unions and the world of politics, both actors maintain a constant dialogue to ensure that these protests are successful. On the other hand, they trust that they will stay in anything less than the Executor and discharge logicreigning in France since the beginning covid-19 pandemic.
Alongside the social front, Macron will face a political sequence fraught with obstacles. Getting ahead won’t be easy for you 2023 budgetGiven that the Macronist group has only a relative majority in the Assembly. LR support may be key. But government sources have acknowledged that they are considering ratifying it by decree through controversial article 49.3.
Another important point will be the presentation on September 8th. National Reestablishment Council. An organization—or communications operation—often criticized as being too vertical, in which the president promises to change the way he governs, according to the opposition. The French political landscape is not as unstable as in Italy or the United Kingdom, but the centrist leader is embarking on a new course that will not be rosy.