the boss of Carrefour criticizes “a head-to-head economic policy”

Alexandre Bompard denounces the “temporary” tax increase that the government wants to impose on companies. These measures will put us back “at the back of the European pack”, he accuses.

“The measures that have been announced” as part of the 2025 finance bill “are a head to tail of economic policy”laments Thursday October 17 on France Inter Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour. He says he is worried about “level of public deficit” and unexpected budget slippage. He assures that France is now “at the back of the pack in terms of the quality of public finances” a Europe.

The boss of the distribution giant criticizes in particular the temporary tax increase that the government wants to impose on a few hundred companies. Alexandre Bompard is ironic about the temporary side, saying he can make a “list of so-called temporary taxes which have become permanent”. He assures that Carrefour “is currently taxed on 67% of what he earns in France” and warns that if further increases must be decided, the levels reached then will be “confiscatory”, there will be “less competitiveness” and this risks also having consequences on investment. He mentions in particular the example of “the social debt repayment contribution created [en 1996] for two years and which still exists.” “Obviously they announce that it is for 2025 and 2026, because in 2027 someone else will tell us that the situation of public finances is not getting better”, says -he.

“We are at the back of the pack in terms of the quality of public finances,” warns Alexandre Bompard who says to himself “worried”. He refutes the “gifts” made to businesses with the reduction in the corporate tax rate from 33% to 25% during Emmanuel Macron’s first term. “They have led to bringing France back into the European average”, defends the boss of Carrefour. “We have regained productivity, investment, employment.” And there we take measures “which put us back at the back of the pack”, he despairs.

The CEO of Carrefour considers that the budgetary effort must above all be taken by the State, calling for “find savings on public services”. He mentions in particular the “1 500 billions of public spending” which represent “57% of GDP, ten points more than other European countries”. He invites “rethink the role and missions of the State” and to question possible closures of public operators and agencies.