After the presidential interview, it's time for the Prime Minister's general policy speech. Jean Castex is due to speak this Wednesday afternoon at the National Assembly, the day after Emmanuel Macron's speech. This July 14, the head of state had notably announced the forthcoming obligation to wear a mask in enclosed public places and presented several economic measures notably in favor of the youngest, without really going into details.
How is it going to happen?
Jean Castex will speak to the deputies from 3 p.m. His intervention could last more than an hour. At the same time, his speech will be delivered in the Senate by a minister (generally that of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, number two in the protocol order of the government).
A debate must then take place for more than two hours. In particular, the president of each parliamentary group may speak for several minutes in the gallery. Finally, the deputies will have to vote during the "confidence vote" and say if they approve the policy which the head of government intends to conduct.
On what subjects is it expected?
The Prime Minister could in particular provide details on certain subjects raised by Emmanuel Macron but the terms of which remain unclear: the precise date of entry into force of the obligation to wear a mask in a closed public place ("perhaps from August 1, "Macron said), what is precisely covered by these" enclosed public places ", the recovery plan, the" small lines "of train and rail freight that Macron wants to" massively redevelop ", etc.
The one who is also mayor of Prades (Pyrénées-Orientales) could also tackle a theme very little present in the presidential interview but which is close to his heart: decentralization and territories. Since his appointment to Matignon, Jean Castex has constantly praised the role of local elected officials and the importance of "ground" in the recovery plan and the policy he intends to conduct.
"It's a meeting with yourself, you have to feel the country, both to be in line with the guidelines of the Head of State and then to be aware that you have to do specific and concrete things because 'we have 600 days' by the end of the quinquennium, he said this Wednesday in Le Figaro. This element of language of "600 days" to act has become one of the mantras of the new government in recent days.
What is the political stake for him?
If there is little doubt that Jean Castex will be approved by a majority of deputies during the confidence vote, La République en Marche (LREM) and its centrist allies comprising more than half of the 577 seats, its score will be scrutinized closely. His predecessor in Matignon, Edouard Philippe, had won the confidence of 370 then 363 deputies in July 2017 and in June 2019. But the number of votes "against" had greatly increased, going from 67 to 163, that of the abstainers having decreased.
In recent months, the majority have become even more divided, in particular due to dissent regarding ecological issues and the means to face them. Two new parliamentary groups, notably including former LREM elected officials, have also been formed in recent weeks.