The end of the welfare state, Europe…: Minister Bruno Le Maire publishes a book similar to the program

The end of the French welfare state, budget cuts, the European AI community, European sovereignty… Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire outlined his political vision in a lengthy interview with the Journal du Dimanche published on the occasion of the release. new book.

If the French Way, which will be published by Flammarion, is “an act of faith towards France” and not a presidential program, assures Bruno Le Maire, then his three-page interview nevertheless has the appearance of a political program.

Seven-year tenant Bercy, who is regularly credited with presidential ambitions, says he is “totally committed to the European elections” and avoids the 2027 question.

“A system that has become uncontrollable”

In the context of high government deficits, the Minister once again advocated for rigor and the choices that should be made in government spending. “We must replace the welfare state with a protective state,” he says.

He said that “everywhere in Europe” but “especially in France”, the welfare state had ended up becoming “a machine for accumulating new public spending” and “we must regain control of this system, which has become unmanageable”. »

According to him, the current model has as its “ultimate goal” to liberate everything, for everyone, always: this is untenable! “It’s time to choose” to move away from “the mirage of free access for all,” he argues.

Bruno Le Maire continues to advocate for a “better organization of public services”, assessing that “we are not getting value for our money”, and announces that “together with the Minister of Public Accounts” Thomas Cazenave, following the current review of public spending, he will invite “In April, all political forces will take part in an exchange of spending priorities.”

Towards tightening the terms of unemployment insurance?

Following the first pension reform carried out by the government in 2023, and two controversial reforms in 2019 and 2023 regarding unemployment insurance rights, Bruno Le Maire once again emphasizes his desire to further tighten insurance conditions – unemployment “more generous” than elsewhere. in Europe.

In February he announced a $10 billion savings plan for 2024, which was quickly materialized by decree in the Official Journal, despite a downward revision to that year’s growth forecast from 1.4% to 1%.

And at least 20 billion will need to be saved by 2025, with social security spending on Bercy’s radar. Ultimately, the goal is to return the government deficit to below 3% of GDP in 2027 (up from 4.9% in 2023).

“New Strategy” for European Sovereignty

But for now, France is under the radar of ratings agencies, including S&P, which has highlighted “uncertainties” and risks weighing on France’s public finances.

The economy minister also wants to shake up the European Union (EU), which needs to “accelerate” and “implement” a “new strategy” of economic sovereignty in the face of an “increasingly interventionist” economy and “increasingly interventionist policies.” protectionist USA.”

He advocates “building a European artificial intelligence (AI) community” to enable the EU to “win the AI ​​battle” and “embrace innovation and risk, prioritizing large-scale investment over regulation.”

This roadmap requires more funding and therefore implies, in the words of the French minister, progress in building a “capital markets union”, a project for which he expects “real commitment from Germany,” says the minister, who is going to Berlin. on Monday and Tuesday.

On a geopolitical level, Bruno Le Maire, who sees himself alongside Emmanuel Macron, believes that “Europe must take a position of absolute firmness against Russian power” and that “Vladimir Putin will only hear force.”

Not forgotten in this interview: gender equality with the proposal to establish quotas in “science classes”, the organization of the state and its “sclerotic system of governance at local and national level”, according to Bruno Le Maire, or even purchasing power with a call for companies to increase salaries in 2024.