Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dans L'Heure de Vérité | 29/01/1986 | Archive INA

Subscribe http://bit.ly/inapolitique The Moment of Truth | Antenne 2 | January 29, 1986 François-Henri de Virieu invited Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, former president of the republic and head of the coalition that will likely win the next legislative elections. He came to the studio to inform voters' choices and discuss the consequences of those choices. He will be interviewed by Alain Duhamel, Serge July (Libération), Albert Du Roy, and Jean-Louis Lescène, live from the studio. -- With Alain Duhamel, he confirms "a huge gap between politicians and young people." If the RPR-UDF coalition wins the elections, its objective will be to loosen the brakes on the economy, deregulate prices (the consequences will be limited), and abolish the wealth tax because "When you work 9 months out of 12 for the taxman, you're not working anymore." He recalls that he was elected in 1974 "on a heartfelt plea," responding to François Mitterrand, "You don't have a monopoly on compassion," when the latter said, "It's a battle of the rich against the poor." He will not allow this "farce of the rich against the poor" to be repeated. He adds that the Socialists "reduced the workload of the French during the crisis." He compares the record of the left with his own. He has never been against the TUC (a type of community service program), "but it's not the minimum wage." He recounts the history of the minimum wage, stating, "Those who voted for the minimum wage have no lessons to learn from those who voted against it." Regarding unemployment and purchasing power, he believes the RPR-UDF majority could do better than the Socialists. "We need to consider a general wage policy in France." Concerning taxation, it will be necessary to know the true state of the accounts and implement limited tax relief. Then, depending on the savings achieved, the deficit and the expenses that "penalize employment" will need to be reduced. He believes Raymond Barre is a very good economist. He could get along with Chirac because, in times of struggle, it's necessary to strengthen ties; "we have the same objectives." -- To Serge July, he responds at length regarding the president's power in the aftermath of March 16th, should there be cohabitation: "The Constitution must be respected." If there's a problem, the Constitutional Council is consulted. He reminds everyone that the President of the Republic does not have a veto over laws in France and is obliged to promulgate laws passed by the majority. He continues on the powers of the president of the republic concerning French and foreign policy. He doesn't believe in a fictitious majority, otherwise "France would be ungovernable, which would be its downfall." He finds the proportional representation system detestable; "It will have to be changed." Eliminating the surplus of candidates means "we no longer have the poison" (laughs). Raymond Barre (a liberal) thinks he would be a better president than François Mitterrand. **** Information about comments ***** On YouTube channels, you are free to express your opinion, even if it is critical. To ensure the quality of the discussion, we ask that you always remain calm, polite, and respectful of other commenters. Proselytizing, vulgar, aggressive, or disrespectful remarks toward any person or group are prohibited. Any insulting or defamatory comment will be deleted. We reserve the right to ban any user who does not respect the community guidelines. *************************************************************** INA archive footage National Audiovisual Institute http://www.ina.fr #INA #Politics