Over the past month, Russian media and social networks have been reporting that French President Emmanuel Macron plans to introduce special coupons or checks that can be exchanged for food. We decided to find out if this is so and what kind of coupons they are.
Many major media outlets have written about the upcoming (sometimes actual) introduction of food cards in France - for example, "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" And "RIA Novosti" Increasingly, posts began to appear on social networks, the authors of which tie up introduction of cards with sanctions against Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron actually came up with such an initiative not so long ago. On March 22, 2022, as part of his election campaign, Macron was guest of France Bleu radio station. Listener Mariza, who has been working as a baker in a bakery for 40 years, asked the president whether the state plans to somehow help not only large enterprises, but also small entrepreneurs. Macron replied that he was preparing a whole package of necessary measures. In particular, he stated, which is going to introduce “food checks” to “help the poorest segments of society, as well as the middle class, cope with rising prices.” He explained that France will soon face the consequences of the global food crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
In this speech, Macron did not go into details of the procedure for introducing food checks, nor did he talk about the amount of assistance. Moreover, the French media immediately drew attention to the fact that this is not the first time Macron has proposed introducing food checks. On December 14, 2020, at the climate conference, he already talked about it, but in the most general terms.
Details followed a little later. Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie told, that we are talking about a monthly amount of about €50. MP from Macron's party "Forward, Republic» (from May 5 - "Renaissance») Gregory Besson-Moreau gave approximately the same figures - €50–60. Denormandy clarified another important detail: the French authorities intend to support not only citizens in need, but also producers. "About 8 million of our fellow citizens do not have full access to local products, to quality products, to French products. They just need a little help», said the minister.
At the end of May 2022, it is still unknown what criteria will be used to issue food checks. It is only clear that even at the level of an election promise, food checks are not identical to bread cards or Soviet food coupons. In recent years, the average monthly salary in France amounted to about €2,500, but checks, judging by statements from officials, will not exceed €60. In addition, an additional purpose of introducing checks is protectionist measures that were already in place supported French manufacturers.
Half-truth
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