France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, aims to reset his second term with a decisive pivot. After shaping a new government, the centrist leader, whose cabinet includes a significant share of ministers from the right, reaffirmed a conservative course for the next phase of his tenure. Macron announced this week a plan that includes reforms to labor, reductions in public spending, and a potential standardization of uniforms in schools. Following a challenging 2023 marked by pension reforms and strict immigration measures, the president signaled a shift away from a more social tone, seeking to reassure his core voters about handling the tough issues that arise before the next set of European elections.
One week after appointing Gabriel Attal as prime minister, Macron, at 34 years old, laid out the new government’s priorities during a late-night press briefing at the Elysée that extended beyond two hours. In an effort to avoid overshadowing the youngest government in the history of the Fifth Republic, the president delivered a straightforward policy address.
Without major announcements – a notable point given that this gathering was billed as a major national update – the event served to map the central directions of Macronist policy for the months and years ahead. The perspective presented aligns with a clean, market-friendly economic approach typical of French centrism, more cautious than Anglo-Saxon models, paired with predominantly conservative proposals on social issues.
Encourage civilian rearmament
Macron began with a call to reaffirm shared values such as respect and civilian responsibility, emphasizing the idea of civilian rearmament he had mentioned in his year-end address. To support this aim, he argued for a stronger sense of national authority and outlined new measures in the area of security, including plans for multiple weekly police operations to combat drug trafficking.
On education policy, Macron advocated reinforcing authority and proposed a controversial move: making uniforms mandatory in public schools. He announced trials in one hundred schools this year to test uniform use and said that if the results are positive, the scheme could expand to all centers by 2026. He also expressed support for reviving public education around the National Anthem and broadening a universal national service for 15-year-olds, a program described as a civil, non-military initiative with broad participation.
Precautions on screen time for minors were discussed, with possibilities ranging from bans to restrictions, to be studied by a commission of experts. Macron also outlined policies aimed at increasing birth rates, proposing a combination of maternity and paternity leave totaling six months, following a year when France recorded its lowest birth rate since the Second World War.
Public spending cuts and labor reform
The 2024 stance suggests an aging political profile for Macron, as some observers felt the platform echoed an older vision despite changes in social policy. The president reiterated a plan for a new labor reform featuring tougher requirements for job seekers who decline offers and stronger support for vocational training. He also spoke of reducing red tape this year and delivering a two billion euro tax cut for the middle class in 2025, arguing that savings would come from trimming what he called unnecessary government spending, though specifics were not elaborated.
These announcements may resonate with retirees and wealthier segments of the electorate but leave open questions about whether they will provide fresh momentum for Macron’s coalition. The absence of bold social and environmental proposals during this window raises questions about the government’s capacity to respond to upcoming challenges. The European elections on June 9 loom large, and only time will reveal their impact.
Polls, though to be treated with caution, indicated the National Rally leading the field at around 28 percent, with Macron’s coalition at about 18 percent. Macron acknowledged concern about the possibility of the far-right taking the presidency in 2027, a scenario that would transform the political landscape in the country.
In summary, the speech framed a policy outlook focused on strengthening authority, pursuing cautious economic reforms, and guiding a government that blends conservative social measures with pragmatic fiscal restraint. The coming months will test whether these choices can sustain broad support ahead of key electoral milestones.
Note: This overview reflects contemporary political analysis and synthesizes public statements and observed policy directions, with attribution to policy briefings and official communications.