President Emmanuel Macron has refuted suggestions that France is facing a financial crisis, asserting the nation’s strong creditworthiness and robust tax revenues. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Wednesday, Macron highlighted France’s significant infrastructure investments, noting that they have exceeded those made in Germany in recent years.
Following the collapse of Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government in a vote of confidence on September 8th, Macron swiftly appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister. Mr. Lecornu is currently working on establishing an agreement concerning the national budget, with Macron expressing optimism regarding a successful resolution. He added that Germans reading the report could be reassured. Macron acknowledged a longer period required to form a government compared to Germany, attributing this to a comparatively less established culture of political compromise within France.
Addressing concerns surrounding the rise of far-right political factions in France, Macron dismissed the notion that this outcome is his responsibility. He pointed to a similar political landscape emerging across Europe, observing that a strong, centrist bloc is crucial for national progress. Macron emphasized that the current efforts to forge consensus in France reflect this necessity.
President Macron is scheduled to deliver an address at a ceremony commemorating the Day of German Unity in Saarbrücken on Friday. He will also receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Saarland, becoming only the second French president to be bestowed with this honor. Jacques Chirac previously received the distinction in Dresden in 2000.
Macron underscored the enduring importance of Franco-German relations, emphasizing the need for continuous renewal and adaptation. He cautioned against complacency, stating that viewing the relationship as a mere routine would be a misjudgment.
