President Macron set to unfurl two-year plan amid prospect of referendums

President Emmanuel Macron is expected on Tuesday night to unfurl his vision for the last two years of his presidency including the possibility of a referendum on certain issues during a two-hour interview on national television.

The TF1 special called "Emmanuel Macron – the challenges for France" will be anchored by Gilles Bouleau who will be joined by union leaders who will grill Macron on his record.

The president will also answer questions sent in by ordinary citizens.

"Surrounded by more than 100 square meters of screens, the president will be addressed by figures from civil society, both on set and via video," TF1 added in a statement on Tuesday.

Macron swept to power in 2017 promising radical change for France. But over the last year, he has lost political heft domestically especially after his decision to hold snap legislative elections last summer.

The move backfired. His Renaissance party suffered heavy losses to leave the far-right RN as the biggest party in the National Assembly.

His attempts to re-establish authority in September 2024 with the appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister failed. In December, French lawmakers voted to oust Barnier's administration. 

Macron appointed François Bayrou to replace Barnier and the veteran politician has managed to negotiate the choppy political waters so far.

Challenges for France

It is believed that Macron could announce a referendum on issues such as assisted dying, screen use for youngsters, the budget or immigration.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said at the weekend such a poll could cost 200 million euros if carried out on paper or 100 million euros if it were to take place digitally.

Macron's political opponents voiced scepticism over the value of the TV session.

Clémence Guetté, vice-president of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) said she questioned Macron's willingness to consult following his government's use of the 49.3 rule to bypass votes on bills going through parliament.

 "If he's really interested in participation, he could be interested in the participation of the representatives of the people so we hope we won't have a 49.3 next time," she added. 

"The LFI remains extremely sceptical about his willingness to follow the opinion of the people. The president is putting on a show and is a bit lost, because politically there are no major reforms that can be carried out because he does not have a majority in the National Assembly."

Marine Le Pen, the RN chief, told reporters: "I haven't expected anything from the head of state [Macron] for some time now.

"It would appear that he wants to announce a referendum, the question is on what subject. In France, referendums are held on extremely important issues that affect the future of the nation," she added.

"If the President of the Republic holds a referendum on school hours, it will certainly be seen as a manoeuvre."