Εμ. Macron: A very different discourse

Alone, from the Elysee, without reporters for questions, Emanuel Macron spent just 8 minutes on the coronavirus out of a total of 27 minutes of his intervention. If considered as a “sermon” for the epidemic, it was the ninth in a row, but very different from the previous ones! He devoted the remaining 20 minutes to what he did as president and what he will do in the future. Hoarse, with a voice λά but Barry White, unfolded a positive account of his tenure. He referred in detail to measures and decisions and more, while also proceeding with announcements of future reforms. But no talk of running for president in April.

However, as everyone was waiting to hear something about it, comments erupted: “Did he speak as an outgoing president or as an undeclared candidate, covering the issue of the pandemic?”.

The autonomy of Europe is imperative

Emanuel Macron looks to the future anyway: For energy he is in favor of building new nuclear reactors, for unemployment he has appeared punitive, with the possibility of suspending benefits to those who are not active enough to find work, which is not very satisfactory on the right. With regard to pensions, he has faith in his reforms, but leaves them for later. In addition, maintenance work was promised in 500 hospitals and a large number of nursing homes. In relation to the third dose of vaccine, after the age of 65 it will be imposed in stages at other ages with the cancellation or not of the health pass for the negatives.

Finally, he reminded that France will take over the presidency of Europe from January for the next six months. “The epidemic has revealed Europe’s dependence even on basic necessities … So the big challenge will be to make the right investments for European autonomy,” he said.

Olympia Tsipira, Paris

Source: Deutsche Welle