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00:00From the get-go, France's new prime minister acknowledged that storm clouds are looming ahead.
00:06He said on French television that he knows his mandate is a fragile one,
00:10for the risk of a vote of no confidence hovers over every move.
00:14But Michel Barnier nonetheless laid out some of his plans.
00:18First, there's a financial imperative to tackle.
00:20A new government must submit the 2025 budget plan to Parliament by early October.
00:25With France's shortfall at 5.5% of GDP last year,
00:30and with Europe having reprimanded France over its debt,
00:33Barnier and his new budget minister said cuts are coming,
00:37and a national effort would need to be made.
00:39Yes, strong choices will need to be taken.
00:44But what we did and have done was, of course,
00:47a necessary precursor to maintaining economic activity and straightening our economy.
00:55Beyond the budget, which will likely be passed by decree,
00:58as Barnier does not otherwise have the votes,
01:00the prime minister said he wants to improve, but not scrap, Macron's pension reforms.
01:06He also said changes are coming in regard to immigration.
01:09There will not be any ideology or sectarianism.
01:12There will be practical measures, similar to those of our neighbours,
01:15and we'll take these steps carefully.
01:17Barnier's party only received 5% of the votes in the last election,
01:22amidst outrage over his government.
01:24And the further to the right choices made in regard to many of his ministers,
01:28he tried to reassure voters.
01:30He said same-sex marriage and abortion rights would stand.
01:33Mental health, he said, would be next year's national cause.
01:36This is a third of psychiatric staff positions in hospitals remain vacant,
01:40and as the number of beds for patients has fallen.
01:44On the heels of the Olympics, Barnier said sports across the country would be a priority.
01:48That is, if he manages to keep a vote of no confidence at bay.