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 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 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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**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer:** Mr. Armand, thank you for joining us today. The Senate recently reduced the employer contribution reductions from four billion euros to three billion in the Social Security budget project. What is your reaction to this change, and how do you believe it affects businesses?
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. This reduction in employer contributions is indeed concerning. It goes against the supply-side policies we’ve been promoting since 2017. My political family has a clear message: we cannot create jobs and sustainable growth by overwhelming businesses with higher labour costs. We must preserve these reductions if we want to maintain our economic competitiveness.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of not viewing businesses as a variable for adjustment. How do you propose we balance funding needed for public services while keeping business costs manageable?
**Antoine Armand:** It’s crucial to explore alternative approaches to increasing charges, and I’ve emphasized this consistently. We need to find ways to support public services without burdening businesses unnecessarily. Increasing levies, such as the mobility payment, could potentially harm employment rates and stall growth. We should look for solutions that do not jeopardize our economic foundation.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be tension within the coalition regarding these budget discussions. How do you plan to address potential disagreements, especially with figures like Michel Barnier?
**Antoine Armand:** We are indeed a coalition, and that means we need to work collaboratively, even when there are differing views. My aim is to keep an open dialog with all parties involved. Michel Barnier has always been receptive to proposals that align with savings and fiscal responsibility, so I am optimistic we can find common ground.
**Interviewer:** Gabriel Attal referred to your recent interview as “fair and responsible.” Do you believe this reflects a unified stance within the government regarding economic policy?
**Antoine Armand:** I appreciate Mr. Attal’s support. It demonstrates our shared commitment to the competitiveness of our economy and employment. While we may face challenges, it is important to remain focused on our common goals: maintaining a strong economy while ensuring social welfare.
**Interviewer:** there are discussions about the risk of a motion of censure due to these budget constraints. How do you view this potential outcome?
**Antoine Armand:** I believe it is an irresponsible approach to engage in ’pseudo-blackmail into resignation.’ It’s vital that we prioritize constructive dialog rather than threats. We need to demonstrate that we can work together for the betterment of our economy and society. This is the time for collaboration, not division.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Armand, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how these discussions develop.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. I remain committed to engaging in this critical dialog for the future of our economy.