Domestic, foreign policy and even prediction for the Football World Cup before the match of the Blues. In an interview at Parisian published on Saturday evening, Emmanuel Macron not only returned at length to the main lessons of his trip to the United States this week, but also to his vision of economic policy, both for Europe and for France. 20 Minutes takes stock.
“We will survive the winter”
“I hear a lot of concern, but we must not give in to panic! Emmanuel Macron wanted to be reassuring about fears of power cuts this winter. “The government, it is its duty, is working on scenarios to deal with any situation,” he said, while affirming that these cuts are for the moment only working hypotheses and in no way a certainty. “We will survive the winter. And if we buy the gas, well grouped, in Europeans, I think that we will be able to absorb the inflation on gas prices in the first half of 2023”, specified the President, adding that the economy would nevertheless be strongly affected: growth in 2023 should be around 0.5 or 0.7% against 2.5% this year.
European protectionism
Back from the United States, Emmanuel Macron also defended the “made in Europe”, like American or Chinese protectionism. “We Europeans cannot be the only space in the world that buys but does not defend its industry,” he said. This question was at the center of the state trip this week after the United States passed a law protecting American industry. “All my American interlocutors, in particular President Biden, told me that weakening European industry was neither their goal nor their intention. Joe Biden’s intentions are to create as many industrial jobs as possible in America and to create energy independence from China, but in no way hinder or even weaken the French economy. Negotiations on the subject should soon be held.
On pensions, “we will have to make an effort”
On pensions, Emmanuel Macron defended the transition to the age of 65. “Nobody is happy to work a little longer, but in order not to lower pensions and not to put new burdens on our children, we will have to make an effort, gradually and taking into account the paths of each one. The President also said he wanted to increase the minimum pension and improve the lowest pensions, calling his project a “reform of justice and equity”.
“I think we win 3-1”
In a lighter tone, Emmanuel Macron predicted a victory for the French football team in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Poland on Sunday, 3 goals to 1, boasting of a “very strong and solid collective”. “I think we win 3-1! Lewandowski [l’attaquant star polonais] will put one, like Mbappé or perhaps Giroud, who wants to go down in history ”, by becoming the top scorer in the history of the Blues, assured the head of state. As for the 3rd French scorer? “Joker”, he replied, believing that the team had “managed the rotation of players very intelligently” despite the injuries and therefore arrived “in good shape against Poland”.