In an interview with Parisian, the Minister of the Economy rejects the idea, although supported by the Prime Minister, of canceling part of the exemptions from corporate charges, which would allow the State to bring in 4 billion euros.
New hiccup within the Barnier government? While the 2025 budget arrives next week in the Senate, after its revenue part was rejected by the deputies, discussions continue at the top of the State until the text returns to the National Assembly. Behind the scenes between ministries. But also through the press. For several days, a disagreement over the level of increase in charges for businesses has been heating up the spirits of the “common base” – the parliamentary alliance between the central bloc and the right on which the team in place is based.
If the government had initially planned an income of 4 billion euros next year by increasing the cost of labor, it proposed, in the face of the revolt of Renaissance deputies, to reduce this reduction by half. Or 2 billion euros. Despite a lunch organized on Saturday between the president of the presidential group (EPR) at the Palais-Bourbon Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier to find common ground, the Prime Minister and his predecessor did not reach an agreement. According to information from Figaro , Gabriel Attal would have once again opposed any increase in charges while companies try to hang on in a difficult economic climate. A sticking point that Antoine Armand dares to highlight.
“We are in a coalition”
In an interview with Parisian , the Minister of the Economy shows more loyalty to the former Macronist majority, to which he says “belong”than in the Barnier government. “We are in a coalition. This means that political forces that do not agree on everything work together.he insisted. BFMTV having suggested this Wednesday that the executive could allow local elected officials to increase the mobility payment, – a tax paid by companies to finance transport -, Antoine Armand warns: “Beware of excess tax!” “Companies should not be the adjustment variable,” insists the successor of Bruno Le Maire.
And to remind the «message» carried by his “political family” : “It is not by bludgeoning businesses and increasing labor costs that we create jobs and growth.” Without mentioning a “red line”, Antoine Armand urges the government to “go as far as possible to preserve contribution reductions”. “We cannot tax VSEs and SMEs more when we already have the highest level of public spending in the euro zone”he added, pleading for “more savings”.
The Minister of the Economy may raise his voice, but he welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister has “always open the door to adjustments” in terms of budget cuts. This is why Antoine Armand is proposing to make savings on the reform of unemployment insurance, working hours, medical transport by taxi, and even the state's lifestyle. One last effort he says “to have done within (son) ministry.”
