Pensions, unemployment insurance, purchasing power… With urgent social issues, unions and employers’ organizations are in the starting blocks to meet the new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, awaiting a possible social conference. For the time being, while the formation of the government is awaited, it is his chief of staff Jérôme Fournel who has launched a series of interviews, starting on Monday with the CFDT which mentioned a simple “step” before a meeting “as soon as possible” with the head of government.
Key information to remember
⇒ Gérald Darmanin refuses to join a government that increases taxes
⇒ Michel Barnier, the French people’s favorite political figure according to a poll
⇒ Fabien Roussel believes that Barnier “knows the situation” and is waiting for the next steps
Gérald Darmanin refuses to join a government that increases taxes
It is “out of the question” to “enter” a government that increases taxes or even to “support” it, resigned Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin assured Wednesday on France 2.
“Raising taxes is the easy way out,” “I will not participate in a government that is not clear on the issue of taxes,” he added, defending the position of the presidential camp on this subject.
Michel Barnier, the French people’s favorite political figure, according to a poll
New Prime Minister Michel Barnier is the French people’s favourite political figure, with 57% favourable opinions, according to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Paris Match and Sud Radio published on Tuesday.
Michel Barnier, from LR and appointed to Matignon less than two weeks ago, is ahead of three of his predecessors: Edouard Philippe (55%), Gabriel Attal (54%) and Jean Castex (54%). He achieved his best scores in an elderly electorate (71% approval among those over 65) and, unsurprisingly, on the right (89% good opinions among these supporters).
Roussel believes that Barnier “knows the situation” and is waiting for the next steps
The national secretary of the Communist Party Fabien Roussel, the first left-wing official to be received by Michel Barnier, judged after his meeting that the Prime Minister “knew the situation in the country” but wondered if he would “provide answers”. Michel Barnier “admits that there is a problem of salaries, housing, a problem in rural areas where people feel abandoned. (…) He is a Prime Minister who knows the situation in the country”, estimated the leader of the PCF at the end of a “very frank”, “very sincere” meeting, lasting almost an hour.
“Now will he provide answers? We will see and we will know soon,” added Mr. Roussel, who spoke to him about “wages”, “public services” and “security”.