French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen to organize a forum that was favored by his predecessor but one he had shown little enthusiasm for until now.

During extensive discussions with political party leaders and the presidents of the parliamentary chambers on Wednesday, August 30, the president made a commitment to convene a "social conference." This concept harks back to several meetings held during François Hollande's presidency (2012-2017). The aim is to explore fresh solutions for workers grappling with the rising cost of living due to surging prices.

While the announcement, made at the conclusion of the meeting held at the former royal abbey in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, provided the only concrete outcome, it did come as a surprise, albeit meeting a demand from the left-wing opposition. At this juncture, numerous details remain unclear, including the schedule, the roster of participants, and the precise agenda.

It was well past midnight when Macron endorsed the idea of a "social conference on careers and sectors with wages below the minimum threshold." Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.