On his one hundredth day at Matignon, Gabriel Attal discussed his government’s actions in response to youth violence during an interview on BFM-TV. He announced the introduction of a “contract of rights and obligations” for parents to sign, which could lead to sanctions for non-compliance, starting in September. There is some uncertainty about the enforceability of this contract, as a Senate inquiry on violence against teachers had previously considered and ultimately abandoned the idea of a contract for parents, opting instead for a simple charter. Attal also announced extended school hours in certain areas to provide additional educational activities for students.
In an effort to combat youth violence, Attal proposed that middle school students would be in school from 8 am to 6 pm, starting in priority neighborhoods. This initiative is currently being tested in 200 schools and includes additional educational opportunities such as homework assistance, cultural and artistic education, and sports activities. The introduction of an “educational committee” was also announced to handle disciplinary actions for students. Attal suggested that behavior would now be taken into account for student diplomas as a way to emphasize the importance of respecting rules and facing consequences for misconduct.
Attal also addressed the issue of violence based on religious principles, stating that there will be a new legal provision to consider an attack for non-compliance with religious principles as an aggravating circumstance. Additionally, he promised forthcoming announcements to help increase salaries, especially for those close to the minimum wage, without raising taxes. The government’s intention to maintain tax cuts was reiterated, and there are plans to achieve a 2 billion euro tax cut by the end of Macron’s term through targeted savings.
The government is also working on a reform of unemployment insurance to encourage more people to work by improving salary attractiveness, reorganizing work schedules, and implementing a social model that encourages employment. This effort includes a condition for the RSA social welfare program, requiring recipients to engage in fifteen hours of activity per week, a policy that will be extended to more regions by the end of the year. Despite criticism from some members of the majority, Attal is committed to implementing reforms to increase employment rates and balance government budgets.
Attal expressed the importance of free speech and the right for all individuals to express themselves, referencing the cancellation of a conference on Palestine. He defended the decision by local authorities to cancel the event due to security concerns, emphasizing the need for maintaining public safety. Regarding the upcoming European elections, Attal highlighted the importance of the elections and criticized the opposition for not addressing the topic of Europe in their campaigns, emphasizing the benefits of remaining part of the European Union. He stressed the need for a constructive debate on European issues and the advantages of EU membership over proposals for a “Brexit in pieces” by far-right political groups.
