2024-11-21 01:11:00
The Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, at the National Assembly, in Paris, October 22, 2024. STEPHANIE LECOCQ / REUTERS
After the Senate’s reduction in 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 elimination of reductions in charges, even reduced to three billion euros by the Senate on Tuesday evening – compared to four 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 supply policy sustained 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 when it is pointed out to him that there are points of disagreement 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 Together, “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 reposted 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, proposed in the spring by EPR. 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 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 a 49.3 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.
Finally questioned about the leader of the Les Républicains deputies Laurent Wauquiez, who regularly irritates the EPR group, Mr. 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 Minister Antoine Armand plan to balance budgetary needs with the interests of businesses in light of recent taxation discussions?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Host:** Welcome, Minister Antoine Armand. Thank you for joining us today.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Recently, the Senate reduced the cuts in employer contributions in the Social Security budget. Many in the business community are expressing their dissatisfaction. Can you explain your stance on this issue?
**Antoine Armand:** Absolutely. My political family strongly believes that increasing taxes and labor costs on businesses will not lead to job creation or economic growth. We must recognise that businesses are not the adjustment variable in our budgetary decisions. We need to be cautious of excessive taxation.
**Host:** You mentioned the importance of maintaining contribution reductions. Why do you think this is critical for the economy?
**Antoine Armand:** Preserving contribution reductions is essential for maintaining the competitiveness of our economy. By keeping costs down for employers, we enable them to invest more in their workforce and drive growth. It’s a message echoed by my colleagues in the Ensemble pour la République. We must find alternative paths to managing our budget without burdening businesses further.
**Host:** Some have criticized what they call “pseudo-blackmail into resignation” regarding adjustments to the budget. What do you make of these comments?
**Antoine Armand:** I find such claims to be irresponsible. It’s important to approach discussions around budgetary adjustments with constructive proposals rather than ultimatums. Michel Barnier has always been open to negotiations around realistic savings proposals, and we need to stay focused on that constructive dialog.
**Host:** What are your thoughts on the potential increase in the mobility payment for public transport funding? How does this fit into your vision for business contributions?
**Antoine Armand:** While the mobility payment is intended to improve public transport financing, we must ensure it does not lead to an increase in overall labor costs. We need to balance social needs with economic sustainability and create an environment where businesses can thrive.
**Host:** You’ve received praise from Gabriel Attal for your recent interview, highlighting your commitment to competitiveness. What next steps do you envision to support businesses while addressing social needs?
**Antoine Armand:** The next steps involve continued dialog with all stakeholders. We will work with our coalition partners to explore innovative solutions that maintain our economic framework while also investing in our social systems. It’s about finding a balance and ensuring that our policies support both employers and employees.
**Host:** Thank you, Minister Armand, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue these important conversations.
