Yellow vests: with the Covid-19 crisis, the executive fears a flashback

It's a date, highlighted in red on Emmanuel Macron's agenda. A date that at the top of the state, we fear for its potentially explosive character. Saturday September 12, Saint-Apollinaire day… but above all, the return (announced for weeks on social networks) of the yellow vests. The comeback was initiated by the call of several collectives and a few personalities, including the comedian and putative candidate for the next presidential election, Jean-Marie Bigard. Will mobilize, will not mobilize?

BIGARD HEAD OF CORTEGE SEPTEMBER 12

Appointment to say that we are fed up!

At a time when the country is preparing to face a potential cascade of social plans, as it tries to straighten its economy thanks to the 100 billion stimulus plan to be unveiled on September 3, and when the epidemic is experiencing a worrying resurgence, Emmanuel Macron did not need this. "When a part of the people have the feeling of being downgraded, that nothing changes, yes, it is a concern", concedes a close to the president. “With partial unemployment, the effects of the crisis were momentarily frozen. But, when we get out of it, there will be an acceleration that will affect large groups as well as small structures. This health crisis will become an economic crisis which will turn into a social crisis every time, ”sees a majority executive coming.

"Fear is all those we cannot save"

Like many, he does not believe in an identical replica of the yellow vests movement. The specter of new social tensions, on the other hand ... The sparks are not totally the same as those of the “yellow” winter of 2018-2019. At the time, they focused on purchasing power, 80 km / h, institutional issues. There, it is the question of employment which will be at the heart of the concerns. It remains to be seen in what form. “The mode of action or the causes have changed, the movement has run out of steam, it has become protean. But it never really stopped, ”observes a Macronist.

In the field, the parliamentary relays of En Marche! do not say the opposite: "I still feel a lot of concerns, people say to themselves that the hardest part is yet to come," says Jean-Marc Zulesi, deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône. In my constituency, for example in La Fare-les-Oliviers, yellow vests are still on a roundabout. The embers remain hot. "

VIDEO. Partial unemployment extended "until November 1," says Castex

At Bercy, we are also well aware that the public support of companies via the 300 billion loans guaranteed by the State, the partial unemployment process, the solidarity fund and the exemptions from social charges will not be able to last indefinitely. Until December 31, at this stage, for measures of partial activity in hotels, cafes or nightclubs.

"Hope the storm passes"

“If the epidemic continues afterwards, what do we do? Can France afford to spend hundreds of billions indefinitely to support sectors that are at the end of their rope? Asks a member of the government, particularly worried. "Let us not forget that there is an entire impoverished, unqualified France, of waiters, employees of clothing stores or mass distribution, who will drink very hard, he continues. Fear is all those we cannot save. They are potential yellow vests. "

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What to do then? “Hold a speech of truth to the French on what is happening. The nation must unite to pass this course, ”said Jean-Marc Zulezi. “There is a risk of social explosion when you no longer have a job, when you don't know how to finish paying off the loan on the car and the canteen. To avoid this, social and employer organizations must also seize the tools put in place by the government to save jobs, ”continues a Secretary of State. While around Emmanuel Macron some plead for extending beyond December 31 certain accompanying measures, with a hope: "Limit the damage and hope that the storm passes. "