In the spring of 2020, at the start of the crisis linked to the Covid-19 epidemic, when the country was at a standstill and the French cloistered at home, Bruno Le Maire used to slip to his interlocutors how much he flourished during crises. His intervention, Tuesday, August 30, during the Medef summer universities at the Longchamp racecourse, was a brilliant demonstration of this. Questioned for half an hour on the prospect of a shortage of Russian gas, on galloping inflation or even on the gloomy economic situation, the Minister of the Economy, very at ease, multiplied great flights of fancy, little phrases and calls to mobilization. A posture halfway between the army general and the conductor, which is precisely reminiscent of the one adopted two years ago. At the time, it had earned him the support of the French and the recognition of the Head of State, after the establishment of “whatever the cost”.
“I see French growth that is resisting, companies that continue to invest, the highest employment rate for half a century! », launched the Bercy tenant on Tuesday. A surge of optimism a thousand miles from the twilight remarks of Emmanuel Macron, on August 24, evoking the “end of abundance”or even in the judgmental tone of Elisabeth Borne, Monday August 29, also in front of the Medef. “To continue to obtain good economic results, there is only one recipe: to hold firm on our line, the supply policy. Less taxes, more work, more wealth for all French people »hammered Mr. Le Maire, confirming in passing the forecast for GDP growth of 2.5% this year.
“We have difficulties ahead of us”, he admitted, however. But, where Mme Borne had increased the pressure on companies on Monday, urging them to put in place sobriety plans under penalty of energy rationing, the Mayor called “everyone, not just companies”at “be more sober”. “We must not add an economic crisis to the energy crisis”he warned, emphasizing the importance of “protect French industry” and strategic sectors. He also pleaded for “more nuclear and more renewable”.
A battery of measures
“Lowering the heating in administrations, offices, transport, it does not penalize either growth, employment or the purchasing power of our compatriots. Rationing should only be the very last option”, he detailed. As during the health crisis, the Minister announced a battery of measures, ranging from administrative and financial support to the mobilization of entire sectors. In Bercy, the counter intended to reduce the energy bills of SMEs and ETIs, which was to close at the end of August, will be open untilat the end of December. The criteria, which are too complex, will be simplified. As for bankers and insurers, they will be called upon to help their most vulnerable customers.
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