French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a raft of emergency measures to support the country's economy and its households amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The authorities are well aware of the importance to provide assistance to both businesses and ordinary citizens. “We are at war, a health war. We are not up against another army or another nation. But the enemy is right there: invisible, elusive, but it is making progress. And this requires our general mobilization,” Macron said in an address to the nation. First of all, the government will guarantee interest-free loans to offset losses caused by the economic crisis. “No French company, whatever its size, will be exposed to the risk of collapse,” the president assured. The French government will grant tax and social rebates to small companies facing difficulties as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Macron also promised to compensate citizens for lost wages. Besides, he postponed the second round of local elections and suspended his reform agenda, including the overhaul of the pension system. “My dear compatriots, France is going through a very difficult time, and no one can predict precisely how long it will last,” - Macron added. In addition, he asked the French people not to give in to panic and expressed his confidence in a successful solution to the crisis.
