Taxes, immigration, Macron… What to remember from Michel Barnier’s interview on France 2

This is called after-sales service. 48 hours after his general policy speech, during which he outlined the main directions of his action to the deputies, Michel Barnier wanted to present his decisions in more detail in prime time. Taxes, immigration, security… So the concerns of the French are not lacking this fall, the Prime Minister was the guest Thursday evening on the show “The Event” on France 2.

Questioned by Caroline Roux one week before the presentation of the 2025 budget, the adoption of which could take place via article 49-3 of the Constitution, Michel Barnier clarified his line after having asked from the podium of the Palais Bourbon, a fiscal effort “limited in time” and shared by the largest companies and the French “the most fortunate”. To save 60 billion euros in the next finance bill, the government intends to cut 40 billion in spending, and recover 20 billion through increases in revenue and tax increases. A rupture since 2017 which is enough to make certain Macronist figures jump.

Macron-Barnier: a “legislative base less minority than the others”

Appointed a month ago to Matignon, Michel Barnier returned to the relationship he maintains with Emmanuel Macron. Although the two men come from different political families, the Prime Minister judges that they are not in “cohabitation”. “In the legislative base which is called upon to support me, there are many deputies who are very close to the President of the Republic: I do not have a relative majority without them”he wanted to reassure. Way to calm things down within the central block.

Paying tribute to his political family, Les Républicains, “who agreed to join” the government. “It’s all that which makes up a base, which is a minority I know, but less of a minority than the other bases, that of the left or the National Rally”he insisted to better establish his “legitimacy”. And dispel the mistrust that reigns.

No “negotiation” with Marine Le Pen

The Prime Minister has dotted the i’s. While Marine Le Pen finds herself at the center of the political game, after she did not voice opposition to the appointment of Michel Barnier at the beginning of September, the leader of the RN deputies can play at any moment of its power, by brandishing the threat of a vote of a motion of censure, which would be added to the votes of the left, would immediately bring down the government. As the reactions following the refusal of the Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, to receive nationalist elected officials at Bercy, had shown.

If he had had to backpedal in a phone call to the former presidential candidate, Michel Barnier indicated that he would not “negotiate” with Marine Le Pen, “nor with the far-left parties”. “She represents with her group millions of citizens, I reminded her that all deputies would be respected, that does not prevent us from having big differences with the RN”he clarified. And to recognize that in the event of an alliance between the left and the flame party: “I (should) leave office.”

“I don’t have time”: the response to Darmanin

Opposed to a tax effort “limited in time” and shared by the largest companies and the French “the most fortunate” mentioned on Tuesday the Prime Minister, Gérald Darmanin judged “unacceptable” on France Info any finance bill that would increase taxes. And the one who was in charge of Public Accounts between 2017 and 2020 threatened not to vote on the budget.

The culmination of the tensions within the new majority, the warning did not escape Michel Barnier. “I don’t have the time or desire to make controversies”replied the Prime Minister, who refers the Northern MP to future parliamentary debates. “If he has good ideas for finding other solutions and reducing the debt, I remain open”he quipped.

“300 companies” affected by tax increases

Some “300 companies” will be affected by tax increases for a year or two, said Michel Barnier on Thursday, refuting any «choc fiscal» as some accuse him, including his macronie partners. “We are going to ask for an effort from the largest companies which make more than 1 billion (of euros in turnover) and a temporary exceptional effort.”

Tax increases on the wealthiest people will “recover 2 billion euros”

“The effort we are going to ask for” to “the most fortunate people” will allow “to recover 2 billion euros”said the Prime Minister on Thursday. The latter “is based on a tax system on very high incomes which was put in place by François Fillon and Nicolas Sarkozy a few years ago. We are going to add something to this system for the exceptional and temporary participation of the most fortunate people”added the head of government.

Agriculture: “A break on standards”

The Prime Minister promised Thursday to “take a break from standards” pour “encourage” farmers affected by crises. “These farmers who are affected by health crises and poor harvests deserve to be encouraged. They are fed up. Fed up with constraints, rules and controls. So we’re going to take a break from the standards.”he said.

“Merge public services” and “not replace all civil servants”

The government counts “merge public services” et “probably not replace all civil servants” in order to reduce public spending. “When they are not in direct contact with citizens, all civil servants who retire”explained Michel Barnier.

«C‘I draw the line’ on immigration

“I’m the one who sets the line” on immigration, and “there will be rigorous measures to control it”also assured Michel Barnier after controversial remarks from the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, in particular on the«Rule of law». A first cop in France who is responsible for“execute” the OQTFs.

The Prime Minister seemed to have ruled out the idea of ​​a new law on immigration, as demanded by the leader of the National Rally deputies Marine Le Pen. “I am not going to announce laws in advance”he said, but “maybe there will be changes to the (current) law if necessary”. “I am not going to get into major ideological debates”.