2024-11-21 01:11:00
The Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, at the National Assembly, in Paris, October 22, 2024. STÉPHANIE LECOCQ / REUTERS
After the Senate’s reduction of reductions in employer contributions in the Social Security budget (PLFSS), the Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, warns of the temptation to want to tax businesses more.
These latter “must not be the adjustment variable”he warns in an interview with Parisian, published Wednesday, November 20 in the evening.
The removal of reductions in charges, even reduced to 3 billion euros by the Senate on Tuesday evening – compared to 4 billion in the initial text of the Social Security budget project (PLFSS) – displeases businesses and the Macronist camp, because they appear to go against the policy of sustained supply almost without fail since 2017.
“My political family carries a message: it is not by bludgeoning businesses and increasing labor costs that we create jobs and growth”remarks Mr. Armand. “The EPR group [Ensemble pour la République] is right to insist: we must go as far as possible to preserve contribution reductions”he continues, adding: “Be careful of the excess tax! »while the idea of an increase in the mobility payment, an employer contribution to the financing of public transport, is looming.
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“I am Michel Barnier’s minister and above all I belong to the Ensemble pour la République family. Let’s stop being afraid of words: we are in a coalition. This means that political forces that don’t agree on everything work together.”he adds in particular about the sticking points between Michel Barnier and the EPR deputies.
A “fair and responsible” interview, judge Gabriel Attal
These remarks sparked a chorus of praise from the latter, and particularly from their president, Gabriel Attal, who, on the X platform, judges the interview with Mr. Armand “fair and responsible”. With the deputies of the EPR group, “we continue to defend the competitiveness of our economy in the service of employment. Alternative paths to increasing charges exist. Thank you to the Prime Minister and the government for listening, the work continues with them”assures the former tenant of Matignon.
Mr. Attal republished at the same time another message on X from the group of EPR deputies, who welcomed the interview just after its publication, arguing that “we cannot take the risk of increasing labor costs”.
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In the interview, Mr. Armand judges «irresponsible» All “pseudo-blackmail into resignation”in case his requests are not heard, and recalls that Mr. Barnier “has always opened the door to adjustments in return for savings proposals”.
The risk of the motion of censure
Among these possible savings, he mentions the tightening of unemployment insurance conditions, already proposed in the spring. He recalls that he is in favor of “a debate on working time”has “touching the lifestyle of the State”or medical transport by taxi, “which costs Health Insurance 3 billion euros per year. Or 50,000 euros per year per taxi”.
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He seems to hope that the motion of censure which would result from recourse to article 49.3 of the Constitution by the government on the budget would not be adopted, while Marine Le Pen is currently threatening to join it. “How could the French understand that oppositions who share almost nothing would nevertheless vote together on a motion of censure, effectively putting France without a budget and without a government on Christmas Eve? »he asks himself.
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Questioned about the president of the deputies of the Les Républicains party (the Republican Right group), Laurent Wauquiez, who regularly irritates the EPR group, Antoine Armand judges that the political situation “is too new to have any qualms. If sometimes some people have methods, postures or positions that provoke a reaction, let’s not fall into the trap”.
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– How does Antoine Armand plan to address the concerns raised by the Senate regarding employer contributions?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Armand. You’ve recently voiced concerns about the potential for increased tax burdens on businesses and the implications for job creation. Can you elaborate on your position?
**Antoine Armand**: Certainly. My message is clear: we cannot sacrifice businesses and raise labor costs if we want to foster job creation and economic growth. The EPR group is right to advocate for the preservation of employer contribution reductions. We should remain vigilant against the temptation to impose excessive taxes, particularly as discussions arise surrounding the potential increase in the mobility payment to finance public transport.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned the concerns of businesses in your interview. How do these discussions in the Senate regarding contributions affect your plans?
**Antoine Armand**: The Senate’s modification reducing the employer contribution cuts is a setback, especially given the long-standing approach of sustained supply-side policies since 2017. My view is that businesses should not be considered an “adjustment variable” in our economic policies. Instead, we need to find sustainable ways to support them and, by extension, the workforce.
**Interviewer**: There seems to be some tension within the coalition, especially between your lines and those of Michel Barnier. How do you see this cooperation moving forward?
**Antoine Armand**: It’s essential to recognize that we are in a coalition, which implies working through differences for a common goal. Michel Barnier and I fundamentally want to achieve economic stability, even if we have differing views sometimes. We can work together, especially when it comes to finding adjustments in budgetary matters tied to savings proposals.
**Interviewer**: Gabriel Attal, president of the EPR group, has praised your recent statements as “fair and responsible.” How important is this support for your initiatives?
**Antoine Armand**: Gabriel’s support reinforces our shared commitment to the competitiveness of our economy. It’s vital for us to explore alternative solutions instead of defaulting to increasing labor costs, which would ultimately harm employment levels.
**Interviewer**: do you believe that without addressing these concerns, a motion of censure could emerge from the assembly?
**Antoine Armand**: The potential for a motion of censure always exists in a politically charged environment. However, I remain optimistic that through dialog and finding compromises, we can avert such drastic measures. My focus is on constructive engagement with all parties to ensure our economic policies benefit both businesses and the workforce at large.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Minister Armand. Your insights are invaluable as the government navigates these critical budget discussions.
**Antoine Armand**: Thank you for having me. Together, we must navigate these challenges thoughtfully to secure our country’s economic future.