In a press conference on Sept. 18, French President Emmanuel Macron asked the French people to "remain united" and acknowledged that the economic situation "is very difficult and distressing for many families." A day earlier, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said his government's proposed 2027 budget would include 54 billion euros ($62 billion) in savings, including on pensions, to reduce the fiscal deficit to 5% of gross domestic product.