For his sixth wish as president, Emmanuel Macron chose to place his speech under the sign of "work".
The word has been repeated a dozen times... And to better embody this theme, the Head of State spoke from his corner office (the one where he usually goes through his files, a room of the Élysée less flashy than the official office).
With, behind him, his personal library where are amassed volumes on François Mitterrand, General de Gaulle, the architect Jean Nouvel, etc.
As for the television production, it was content with a minimalist approach, without the usual camera games.
Less than two weeks before the presentation of the flagship reform of his second five-year term – postponed during the first – the Head of State wanted to launch the artillery preparation.
Because 2023 will be “the year of pension reform”, for the “years, the decades to come”, he assured.
The new rules should apply “from the end of summer 2023”.
He promises a “fair” version, with a “progressive extension”, spread over “ten years”.
"Let's be proud"
According to Emmanuel Macron, "working longer" must make it possible to nurture growth, to reform the school, to fight against "conservatism" and "the spirit of defeat".
“Our work and our commitment” must even, argued the host of the palace, participate in the fight against illegal immigration.
Way to approach another project of this beginning of 2023: the text of Gérald Darmanin and Olivier Dussopt on immigration, presented on February 1 in the Council of Ministers.
Incidentally, the head of state listed other projects such as the nuclear bill, which arrives in the Senate in mid-January, and the expansion of universal civil service, which should take place soon, assures the president.
He also looked back on the past year to try to inspire optimism: despite "unimaginable challenges" (war in Ukraine, energy crisis), France was able to "contain inflation", create jobs, stabilize unemployment at its lowest level.
"Let's be proud", launched the head of state, in front of the camera.
"The Unity Imperative"
The specter of a new wave of Covid?
The Head of State recalled that new measures would apply from this Sunday for travelers from China.
And he encouraged people over 65 to do their booster shots.
Finally, before concluding his address recorded in the evening shortly before 8 p.m., Emmanuel Macron renewed his support for the Ukrainian people.
“We will help each other until we win.
Count on France, on Europe”.
During his 19 minutes of wishes, the Head of State will have sought, as the exercise requires, to place himself above the fray, urging the French to respect "the imperative of unity", castigating "the spirit of division", so that the country remains "united and united" in "such a harsh world".
A few weeks before a probable social movement against the pension reform, this call had an aftertaste of… wishful thinking.
