Where is Michel Barnier, seventy days after his entry into Matignon? Epic debates in Parliament on the budget, revolt from local elected officials, agricultural anger, strikes, factory closures… Finances, industry, agriculture, environment, health, security, democracy: the Prime Minister answers questions fromWest France on its short-term challenges and the projects it intends to implement to last. His goal? “Without a magic wand or gimmick, improve the daily lives of the French. »
He takes the opportunity to summarize his method: “You must understand that I did not roll on the floor to be Prime Minister. I was ready, available, but I wasn't asking. I accepted, telling myself that I could be useful. With my method. I try to restore calm and respect everywhere. Respect is not a gimmick, it is a condition for success. »
A 49-3 for the budget? ” Probably “
The revenue section of the finance bill was largely rejected in the National Assembly on Tuesday by Macronist deputies, the right and the far right. Will we have a budget before the end of the year?
Of course we will have a budget for 2025, that’s the goal! But a serious and responsible budget, not distorted as it was in the Assembly, in its revenue part by improbable votes. We will take into account ideas from all the groups, in particular from the four of the common base who accompany me: Ensemble pour la République, the MoDem, Horizons and the Republican Right. Without forgetting the Senate obviously, which has a majority supporting the government.
Could you take up the amendments of the New Popular Front, which had largely reworked the text?
I don't rule it out for any group. We will look at all the proposals capable of creating progress, without calling into question the general balance of the finance bill. It is in the country's interest to reduce this enormous debt burdening our children and grandchildren.
In the end, you will be forced to trigger 49-3…
Probably. When I see what happened in the Assembly, it seems difficult to do otherwise at the end of the discussion. But you will observe that we have chosen to let the debate take place there.
In this budget, you are asking for a significant effort from local authorities. Are you going to maintain it in the face of the anger of local elected officials, in particular the department presidents, whom you are meeting in Angers this Friday?
This budget was constructed in two weeks with the imperative of reducing the deficit by 60 billion. Never in sixty years has a government had such constraints. This finance bill can be improved. I have no taboos. What matters to me is the general balance which will limit this unbearable debt. However, part of our debt is made up of loans taken out by local authorities. This is why I call on everyone to participate in this effort.
Communities: “Significant budget adjustments”
What proposals will you make to the department presidents?
The departments no longer have fiscal power, but have constrained spending, particularly social spending, which is increasing. I want to tell them that we are going to take this very strong specificity into account, and this will result in significant adjustments to the Bill. finance on the local authorities side. I would add that the project that we are going to launch around a single social allowance should make it possible to reduce the burden of social expenditure borne by the departments.
Read also: “Bercy, incompetent or a liar. » Meeting in Angers, the Departments oppose the 2025 budget
Should we keep the departments?
I was a departmental councilor and I chaired a department, that of Savoie, for 17 years and I know the essential role of proximity and identity that it plays for the French. Communities must be better involved in the design of public policies. It's a question of consistency and efficiency. In addition, experimentation capacities, by departmental executives but also by prefects, must be encouraged. The proximity of decision-making levels to citizens has been altered during the various territorial reforms; we must be very careful to ensure that the missions of each community are well identified.
Some mayors are calling for the return of the housing tax. What do you think?
We're not going to recreate it.
Your minister Catherine Vautrin raised the idea of another form of contribution to local taxation…
We are not going to create new taxes. Everyone must also assume their responsibilities. An example: communities that decide to make certain public services free, particularly transport, must assume responsibility for their choice.
One less public holiday? “Very reserved about the idea”
Should we eliminate a public holiday or increase the annual working time by seven hours to bring money into the Social Security coffers?
I respect the parliamentary debate and remain open to proposals, but I am very reserved about this idea, which is complex to implement and which I am not sure will yield what some claim. What is at stake is that there are more French people working. It is also through social dialogue, to which I attach great importance, that these issues must be addressed.
A few days ago, Nicolas Sarkozy estimated that primary school teachers do not work enough. Do you share this observation?
I do not share this assessment. School teachers, who alone take care of an entire class from morning to evening, do a job that is both difficult and essential. On November 11, in Meaux, I thanked the teachers and expressed my confidence in them.
Your Minister of the Function…
