PURCHASING POWER LAW. Emmanuel Macron and Together lost the absolute majority in the National Assembly during the legislative elections. A huge blow in view of the many measures that were to be announced in favor of purchasing power. How to do ? A covenant? We take stock.
[Mis à jour le 22 juin 2022 à 08h48] “We could have a collective work of the right and the left. We don’t have a choice anyway. It’s a change in French political culture“. These words are those of Clément Beaune, Minister Delegate for Europe, this Wednesday, June 22 on European 1. As rumors swirl about a possible alliance ofTogether! with The Republicans, now the government is considering casting a wider net. So, an alliance, yes. But with who ? Clément Beaune is already talking about the idea of a larger coalition to allow Emmanuel Macron to benefit from an absolute majority, and to pass the necessary laws.
Still, the purchasing power bill containing key measures such as the tripling of the Macron bonus, or the extension of the tariff shield must be presented on July 6 in the Council of Ministers. A deadline widely questioned due to the current fragmentation of the political environment. The National Refoundation Council (CNR) scheduled for Wednesday, June 22, has already been postponed. It was to bring together the social partners, parliamentary groups and associations of local elected officials. Without a decree to implement Emmanuel Macron’s proposals, the executive will have to negotiate each article, one by one, to find the forty votes it lacks for an absolute majority. Even if an alliance seems plausible between Together! and The Republicansthis eventuality does not please everyone on the right, starting with the secretary general of the party Aurélien Pradié who declared that “not accept forced marriages“This Monday, June 20 at the microphone of BFMTV. The next few days promise to be decisive for the purchasing power of the French.
The rise in consumer prices is expected to continue in the coming months. INSEE predicts an increase between 5% and 5.4% next June, enough to push the government to act, by proposing a salvo of measures to try to support modest households and low wages. In this sense, several proposals already mentioned by the executive for many weeks should indeed come into force. Here they are :
- Food voucher: its amount could reach 60 euros and should benefit young people aged 18 to 25, as well as low-income families with children. The measure could concern 8 million people in France with the aim of allowing low wages to consume French, organic, and preferably in short circuits. The food check should not come into force this year, replaced by inflation aid of 150 euros.
- Macron bonus: the Head of State intends to triple the amount of the exceptional purchasing power bonus to reach up to 6,000 euros in certain cases. It concerns employees whose salary does not exceed 3x the minimum wage.
- RSA: the active solidarity income should be conditional on a minimum of activity on the part of the beneficiaries. The most likely track remains 20 hours of training per month. A way for the executive to promote the return to employment.
- TV fee: it was a campaign promise the audiovisual fee will be abolished in 2022. Its amount was 138 euros in mainland France and 88 euros in Overseas for each household with a television.
- Indexation of pensions to inflation: In addition to the introduction of a minimum pension of 1,100 euros, Emmanuel Macron wishes to index retirement pensions to the level of inflation to take into account the sharp rise in prices which should be durable.
- Fuel bonus: the government could extend the discount of 18 cents on a liter of fuel, and even set up new, more targeted aid for those who have no choice but to use their vehicle to get to their workplace.
As announced by the spokesperson for the current government Gabriel Attalthe various measures forming part of the purchasing power law should be announced “after the legislative elections“. A way of respecting the timetable that Emmanuel Macron had set for himself and his various media outings, regularly announcing the implementation of these measures by the summer. Having not obtained an absolute majority in the Assembly , the Ensemble group will have to compose and forge alliances to try to obtain it and pass its laws. The announcement of the purchasing power bill is scheduled for July 6, not sure that this deadline will be respected in given the fragmentation of the political landscape since the second round of legislative elections.