The President of the Republic, now a candidate in the presidential election and leading in first-round voting intentions, presented the main measures of his program this Thursday in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis).
In recent days, through his statements or leaks in the press, about twenty of his proposals have already been leaked, such as raising the retirement age to 65, but also a reduction in inheritance taxes.
Asked about the cost of his promises, he estimated it at 50 billion euros per year, to which 15 billion in tax cuts for households and businesses will be added. He claims that pension and unemployment benefit reforms will finance these costs.
The core of Emmanuel Macron’s program, consisting of about a hundred measures, will then be detailed in a 24-page booklet that will be mailed to about 6 million households this weekend.
Institutional reforms and “exceptional laws.” “On all priority issues, we will enact an exceptional law to shorten deadlines and drastically simplify procedures,” states Emmanuel Macron, citing his projects in housing and renewable energy. The President of the Republic wants to entrust a “cross-party commission” with a project for institutional reform, which would notably aim for “more proportionality.”
A tightening on immigration and asylum. “The refusal of asylum will entail an obligation to leave the territory,” promised Emmanuel Macron, who also wishes to expel foreigners “who disturb public order.” He links this issue with that of fighting discrimination, for which he promises “systematic testing” in companies with more than 5,000 employees.
Recruitment and inspections in nursing homes. One aspect of his promises concerns nursing homes. If reelected for a second term, the head of state promises the recruitment of “50,000 nurses and caregivers” in these establishments, as well as strengthening inspections. To help elderly people stay at home, a grant will be created to adapt their housing.
Social benefits paid “at source.” Emmanuel Macron promises the “at source” payment of RSA, APL, family allowances, and the activity bonus. A reform that would affect 20 million people, which he presents as a way to combat non-uptake and fraud. He also wishes that all workers have access to a time savings account and keep it when changing companies.
An activity obligation in exchange for RSA. A reform of the active solidarity income is in Emmanuel Macron’s program, and will include “the obligation to dedicate 15 to 20 hours per week to an activity leading to professional integration,” either a job or training. The head of state also wants Pôle emploi to be reformed to become a “single point of contact” for job seekers under the new name of France Travail. “Full employment” is “achievable in the next 5 years,” he estimated.
Enhanced assistance, particularly for single mothers. The head of state promises, if reelected, a “50% increase in support allowance for single mothers,” from 116 to 174 euros per child, and to create an “enforceable right to childcare.” He wants to ease inheritance taxes and lower charges for the self-employed, equivalent to 550 euros per year for a person on the minimum wage. The 1,000-euro bonus created after the “yellow vests” movement could reach 3,000 euros.
A “new pact with teachers.” In exchange for continued salary increases, they would have a “quasi-obligation” to replace absent colleagues, claims Emmanuel Macron. He also expressed the wish to “make available the results of all evaluations” of a class or establishment, which he sees as a way to “disseminate best practices.”
