French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has delivered a make-or-break general policy speech, outlining his plans for dealing with a national debt of €3,228 billion, controlling immigration, access to public services and the standard of living of the French. His indication that this could mean tax increases prompted the hard-right National Rally (RN) party to issue a warning to the government.
Following the speech late on October 1, the RN said it was prepared to take action that could lead to the downfall of the government, if necessary.
Marine Le Pen, president of the RN at the French National Assembly, has set three key red lines that, if crossed, could lead to the administration’s collapse — thus in essence making her the country’s kingmaker.
Le Pen insisted the government should avoid any increase in the “tax burden, particularly on the working classes”.
She also demanded decisive action to curb immigration and the introduction of a proportional voting system to reflect what she said was the country’s evolving political landscape.
Le Pen assured Barnier that her party would not immediately seek to censor him following his address to the National Assembly.
“The RN does not intend to drive the country into chaos or follow a policy of destruction, which is the worst kind of politics,” she stated, distancing the RN from the left-wing opposition’s plans to file a motion of no confidence later in the week starting September 30.
Nevertheless, she warned that the new government should be mindful of the election results.
“Let me say solemnly to each minister and every holder of public authority from this government: We expect the 11 million patriots who voted for our National Union coalition [between RN and the Conservative Right with the UDR] to be respected,” she said.
In his speech, Barnier appeared to entertain some of the RN’s proposals regarding electoral reform and immigration.
“France will continue to reintroduce border controls as long as necessary, as allowed by European regulations and as Germany has just done,” he promised, signalling an alignment with RN policies.
France is likely to see much tougher immigration and security measures to reflect a broad rightward shift in society, its new interior minister has said. https://t.co/KlwXNhmG14
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) September 25, 2024
As for reforms to the voting system, Barnier expressed a willingness to explore such changes, saying: “I have heard the calls for greater representativeness. I am ready, the government is ready, for reflection and action without ideology on proportional representation.”
“It is already implemented in the Senate and in local governments and it is applied to varying degrees in many of our neighbouring countries,” he said.
Despite those apparently conciliatory remarks, the upcoming budget review could be pivotal for Barnier’s tenure as Prime Minister.
RN spokesperson and MP Laure Lavalette warned that perhaps the most significant red line was any potential “tax increases.”
“We cannot make the French pay for the bad choices of ‘Macronie’,” she said.
Barnier remained adamant about the need for fiscal caution, linking the country’s financial challenges to a “sword of Damocles.”
He pointed to France’s huge national debt of €3,228 billion, emphasising that without action, the nation faced a difficult future.
“This year, our public deficit, that of all public entities, is expected to exceed 6 per cent of our national wealth. By 2025, if nothing is done, it will be even greater,” he warned.
Finance Minister Antoine Armand has sounded the alarm on the French budget, warning of the “very serious situation” facing France. https://t.co/mz76DU3Tds
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) September 25, 2024
