In the first half of 2024, Michel Barnier had an idea in mind: as he despaired of what the right was becoming, all in its excesses, he wanted to work towards the construction, or reconstruction, of a faithful center-right to its values and its history. Then, in the heart of summer, the Savoyard put the finishing touches on another project: the writing of a book drawing lessons from his long experience in public life. The End : a conclusion, in a way, for the man who was elected for the first time in 1973.
Farewell, calf, cow, pig, brood… An appointment to Matignon and here are two buildings that fall into the water. Or not. As much as the publication of the work is postponed indefinitely, the attempt to recompose the political landscape turns into “a life-size exercise”. The new Prime Minister first had to address the emergencies – the composition of the government and the budget, sorry. But it was afterward that he would like the Athenians to reach them. The time he did not have, for example, to establish a government program capable of bringing yesterday’s Macronists and today’s right into agreement, he wants to find it tomorrow. The oxygen that Parliament did not give him, through his attitude during the examination of the finance bill, he wants to find elsewhere. When we look at the upheavals in the news these days, including the inability of the common base to agree on positions in the National Assembly, we say to ourselves that things are off to a bad start. So the Prime Minister prefers to look towards other “horizon lines”.
A reform project for France
Michel Barnier has a dream: to find the means to build, in and despite the heat of action, a reform project for France. He didn’t come to manage a deficit that he inherits and that’s it. No, his ambition is to reform in depth. There is no shortage of topics, from the governance of the country to state reform. He has some very specific ideas in mind, shared with others (the single social allowance) or which are running through his mind (the decentralization of regional health agencies and water agencies, the industrial savings account, the 10% reduction in the number of public operators). With one guideline: to be as less ideological and as practical as possible.
To find out if his ideas are accepted, if they have a chance of succeeding, he would like to co-construct. Make “dynamic compromises”. With parliamentarians, with intermediary bodies, with whoever wants. Are there volunteers to reform France? In December, after another seminar (or two) devoted to selecting proposals, he will launch his own big debate at a press conference. Three months of 2025 which everyone will seize as they wish, including, ideally, in the famous national day of consultations that he mentioned in his general policy speech.
In the Sunday newspaperit projects until 2029, the date set for a return of the public deficit below 3% of GDP, also the date of the scheduled end of this legislature caused by the dissolution of June 9. It did not escape him that another deadline risked polluting his actions – he is well informed: the presidential election. Because for the moment, we cannot see that the possible candidates from the central bloc will be of much help to him. This is why these five years begin with the three years – already less in reality – which run until the next Elysian deadline.
For this work worthy of Sisypheus, Michel Barnier has an advantage: you should not imagine him happy, he is – happy to finally be where he is, and it was five minutes to midnight.
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