AA/Tunis
Medef, the main French employers’ movement, estimated on Tuesday that Michel Barnier had “understood the budgetary emergency”, and welcomed the Prime Minister’s support for discussions between social partners, local media reported.
“By making the reduction of debt and deficits the priority of government action, the Prime Minister has taken stock of the urgency and the threats weighing on France, its economy and its businesses,” said the Medef in a press release, published after Michel Barnier’s general policy speech before Parliament, reports “Le figaro”.
Noting that “nothing would be worse than a credit accident”, the employers’ organization “welcomes Mr. Barnier’s speech of truth” on the state of public finances and considers his objective of reducing the public deficit to “realistic”. 5% of GDP in 2025, after more than 6% this year, indicates the same media.
“Without this prerequisite, any additional contribution from companies, necessarily exceptional and measured, would be incomprehensible,” recalls Medef, while Mr. Barnier announced that large companies, like the largest individual taxpayers, would be requested in the budget.
The head of government indicated that spending cuts would represent “two thirds” of the budgetary efforts to be made, without detailing the planned savings avenues. Medef also welcomes the desire to “initiate a powerful simplification project”, desired by companies, recalls the same source.
Finally, he appreciates that the Prime Minister makes “listening, respect and dialogue a method of government”. Michel Barnier asked that the social partners take up negotiations on the employment of seniors and unemployment insurance, judging them to be “best placed to provide solutions”, finally indicates “Le figaro”.
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