“This war will last.” Sébastien Lecornu did not use euphemism during his press conference this Thursday on the impact of the war in Iran and measures to support economic activity. “This war will last and time becomes a weapon.” The Prime Minister, former Minister of the Armed Forces, keen on geopolitics, speaks little but speaks clearly. “We will not abandon anyone,” he promises. But this will have a cost. “We will have to make savings,” he warns, refusing any increase in taxes in the next budget. Concretely, 1.2 billion euros will help working French people as well as businesses in the coming weeks and months. Some were already known, but 710 million euros in new aid were decided.
“We are not changing philosophy but we are changing scale,” summarizes Sébastien Lecornu, for whom it is important to give perspectives to companies and individuals. The government’s philosophy is support for activity and work to prevent the economy from plunging. “The urgency is for economic activity to hold up.” The Prime Minister used the image of the fishing boat whose fuel represents 40% of the costs: from when is it profitable to take the boat out instead of staying in port? A boat that stays in port means less activity and therefore unemployment.
The philosophy of aid remains and focuses on those who need it. Aid for long-distance drivers is maintained for three months and doubled, the fuel bonus paid by employers may be doubled (600 euros) and existing aid for fishermen and farmers will be renewed. Other sectors of the economy will be supported such as taxis or medical transport.
“We walk on our own two legs”
The Prime Minister notably pointed out what was going to be done for home helpers who will benefit from a lasting increase in mileage allowance but who could also be given priority for a new social car leasing system to be able to equip themselves with a vehicle Electric from 50 euros per month. “We are walking on our two legs,” Sébastien Lecornu repeated several times, insisting on short-term and long-term measures, such as typically the electrification of the country.
In terms of form, the head of government intervened surrounded by his main ministers, all speaking to detail the measures, sometimes very technical. “We have to be transparent,” assumes the Prime Minister, who took the time to explain, he who is usually so reluctant to media exercises. The soldier monk, as he defines himself, is not a great communicator. But this time he decided to “wet the shirt”, according to the expression he used.
« Arrêter d’emmerder les Français »
If he does so, it is because the elected official from Eure, who on several occasions cited his town of Vernon, has perceived the fatigue and weariness of the French who see one crisis after another. Purchasing power is a concern for many and he knows it. He therefore wanted to explain at length why the government provided targeted aid but refused any reduction in VAT (as requested by the National Rally) or any price blocking (as requested by La France insoumise). “I understand the pressure on our fellow citizens but we must not push the constraints onto future generations.â€
Sébastien Lecornu, who knows his political classics, quoted Pierre Messmer, one of his political mentors, and paraphrased Georges Pompidou. “We have to stop annoying the French,” he repeated several times, refusing to give them lessons, to ask them to drive less. “People are full of common sense,” he said, repeating what he had said on Tuesday in front of the deputies: “Geopolitics has entered the fuel of the French.” He put himself on the front line this Thursday, and that’s new. A first which will undoubtedly not be the last, the war being expected to last.
