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 propose to balance fiscal responsibility with support for employment in his economic policies?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Armand. In light of recent debates surrounding the Social Security budget, you’ve expressed concerns about increasing labor costs for businesses. Can you elaborate on your stance?
**Antoine Armand:** Certainly, and thank you for having me. My political family holds the belief that increasing labor costs and imposing heavier burdens on businesses will not foster job creation or economic growth. We must be cautious about excessive taxation, which only adds pressure to companies that are already grappling with numerous challenges.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group is advocating for the preservation of contribution reductions. What do you see as the implications if these reductions are not maintained?
**Antoine Armand:** If we fail to preserve these reductions, we risk undermining the competitiveness of our economy. We must avoid making businesses the scapegoat for fiscal adjustments. In my view, the EPR is correct to push for minimizing contribution increases, which ultimately impact employment.
**Interviewer:** Gabriel Attal praised your recent interview as “fair and responsible.” How do you feel about the government’s overall approach to balancing fiscal responsibility and supporting employment?
**Antoine Armand:** It’s encouraging to hear that my views resonate with my colleagues, particularly Gabriel Attal. I’m committed to collaborating with all political forces within our coalition to find solutions that prioritize both fiscal responsibility and job creation. There are alternative paths we can explore that do not involve imposing higher charges on businesses.
**Interviewer:** You’ve also mentioned the potential for tightening certain expenditures as part of budget adjustments. Can you give us an idea of what that might entail?
**Antoine Armand:** We’re looking at various areas where we can streamline spending without compromising essential services. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of current programs and identifying inefficiencies. The goal is to ensure that any adjustments are strategic and support our broader economic objectives.
**Interviewer:** there have been discussions about a motion of censure. What are your thoughts on this potential development?
**Antoine Armand:** It’s crucial that we focus on constructive dialog rather than engaging in political maneuvering that could destabilize our mission. I find any form of pseudo-blackmail concerning; it distracts from the pressing issues we need to address. Our coalition has always been open to adjustments, provided there are mutually beneficial savings proposals on the table.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Armand, for sharing your perspectives on these important matters.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. It’s an honor to discuss these crucial issues affecting our economy and the well-being of our citizens.
