© Thierry Monasse / Getty Images
– Michel Barnier was arrested in Angers regarding the property tax.
Michel Barnier was passing through Angersin Maine-et-Loire, Friday November 15 on the occasion of the Meetings of the Departments. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to stroll through the Monplaisir district, where he was attacked by a citizen particularly raised: “I am revolted, the forty-seven year old man began. I can't understand why we are removing the housing tax and at the same time increasing the property tax. Where is the scale? The account is not there »he regretted, during an exchange captured by BFMTV cameras.
He explains that after seeing his property tax increase by one hundred and eighty euros last year, it would have increased by another sixty euros this year. According to a report from the National Union of Real Estate Owners, the property tax has in fact increased by 20% on average between 2018 and 2023 and even by 32.9% in ten years . However, it is the town halls which set the amount of this tax themselves. Thus, in Seiches-sur-le-Loir (around twenty kilometers from Angers) where this person lives, the town hall decided to increase the tax 2% in 2023, then 0.5% in 2024according to city council reports.
Property tax: do you find it too high? Here's how to lower it but don't delay!
Michel Barnier against a return of the housing tax
In addition to the basic increase decided by the government, i.e. 3.9% for all municipalities in Francethe property tax has thus increased by 6.4% in two years in Seiches-sur-le-Loir. “I have twenty-five kilometers to go to my workplace, per week I use fifty euros of diesel. As I speak to you, I have not one kopeck left in my account, I have nothing left. What do we do?”blurted out this Angevin. “I’m happy to speak to you directly, even if I don’t have the answers to everything”replied the Prime Minister.
“It is certain that the municipalities have seen a recipe disappear, continued Michel Barnier, speaking of the housing tax. Now they compensate on property tax.” Deemed unfair for the French, the housing tax had been deleted on January 1, 2023. This measure was among the Emmanuel Macron's campaign promises in 2017. If certain elected officials campaign for its return, “we are not going to recreate it, insisted Michel Barnier, during an interview for Ouest-France, Thursday November 14. We are not going to create new taxes. Everyone must also assume their responsibilities. An example: communities which decide to make certain public services free, particularly transport, must assume responsibility for their choice”he warned.
