Highly anticipated on the issue of purchasing power, a subject of concern for the French with rising prices and a major theme of the presidential election, the government had two options. The first, to present an amending finance bill containing a package of measures before June 12, in order to occupy the social terrain during the legislative campaign. Or else wait to know the composition of the future Assembly, and therefore the margin of the presidential majority, to adjust the text if necessary.
It was the second strategy that was preferred, according to Gabriel Attal. “This text has already been worked on, prepared and will be presented in the wake of the legislative elections to be adopted very quickly,” said the spokesperson at the end of the Council of Ministers. This package of measures will include an extension of the tariff shield on gas and electricity prices until the end of 2022 as well as a “sustainable and better targeted device” than the 18-cent discount on fuel prices, has he detailed.
Social benefits increased from July 1
Emmanuel Macron had announced during the presidential campaign a package in the summer for the first measures on purchasing power. The rise in energy prices, induced in particular by the war in Ukraine, “brings new dangers to the wallets of the French”, underlined Gabriel Attal. In addition to the measures on energy and fuel prices, he recalled that the “Macron bonus”, paid to employees in respect of the results, will be “tripled”, the charges for the self-employed reduced, “i.e. 550 euros in earnings per year at the level of the SMIC for a self-employed person”, and the “unfrozen” Civil Service index point.
Social benefits will also be revalued on July 1 “without waiting for the usual calendar”, as will pensions, in order to take inflation into account, he added. The Head of State wants to increase the minimum old age to 1,100 euros net. The food checks promised by Emmanuel Macron to help the most modest to supply themselves with local, sustainable, even organic food products, will also be launched “as of this summer”, indicated the spokesperson.