“Our project for 2022 is solidarity and social progress,” Macron said on Saturday in front of tens of thousands of supporters in Nanterre near Paris at his only major appearance before the first round of the election.
“French people who work shouldn’t put their entire salary into filling up the tank and buying groceries, that’s unfair.” From the summer, employees should be able to receive a tax-free purchasing power bonus of up to 6,000 euros, said the 44-year-old politician who is running for a second term. He also promised more money to the self-employed. His government has already put around 20 billion euros into capping electricity and gas prices.
Investments in health and education
Macron announced further investments and improvements for the health and education systems. In the future, the minimum pension should be EUR 1,100 after full employment. Aid for single parents should be increased. After a scandal about grievances in old people’s homes, the President announced the hiring of 50,000 additional nurses and more controls. The fight against sexual abuse should be intensified.
In order to finance the announced strengthening of the welfare state and further tax cuts, Macron swore the French during his election campaign to raise the retirement age from 62 to 65. A social and welfare state is not possible if the state does not produce and create wealth. “We have to work more.” For the first time since the 1970s it is possible to achieve full employment in France.
Flaming commitment to Europe
Macron also made a passionate commitment to Europe. Europe is best equipped to fight the food crisis threatening the Ukraine war and to master the climate crisis. “We are proud to be European and to fly the European flag next to our national flag.” At the same time, France relies on an independent policy, exchange with other states and the formation of new alliances.
Purchasing power has become the overriding issue in the French presidential election campaign, with education, health care and migration also being major issues. Because of his diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine war, Macron entered the election campaign late. He is clearly ahead in the polls, but his main challenger, the right-wing Marine Le Pen, has recently caught up. A poll for the newspaper “Le Journal du Dimanche” on Saturday saw Macron at 27 percent and Le Pen at 22 percent, with leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon third at 15 percent. In a runoff in the second round of the election, Macron would defeat Le Pen by 53 to 47 percent, according to the poll.
A kiss on the hand from Brigitte
In addition, Macron made a touching confession of love to his wife Brigitte in front of tens of thousands of followers. During the speech in the sports arena, he first thanked his parents, who were also in the hall. He then acknowledged “the presence of the one who matters most to me, who brings me the most in this unique adventure of life – Brigitte”. Supporters – including the government cabinet and Macron’s wife – responded with much applause. Then Brigitte breathed a kiss on her husband’s hand to thunderous cheers.
Source: Nachrichten
