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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What are Antoine Armand’s views on the impact of increased business taxes on job creation and economic growth?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Host:** Welcome, Mr. Armand. You’ve recently voiced concerns about the potential increase in taxes on businesses. Can you elaborate on your position?
**Antoine Armand:** Absolutely. My political family holds a clear message: taxing businesses heavily and increasing labor costs won’t lead to job creation or economic growth. We need to avoid viewing companies as adjustment variables in our financial strategies.
**Host:** You’ve mentioned the importance of maintaining contribution reductions. Why do you believe this is crucial for the economy?
**Antoine Armand:** The Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group is correct in advocating for the preservation of contribution reductions. By safeguarding these, we create a more favorable environment for job creation and encourage business growth, which ultimately benefits everyone.
**Host:** There’s discussion about increasing the mobility payment to support public transport. How do you reconcile that with your stance on tax hikes?
**Antoine Armand:** This approach must be carefully considered. We need to ensure that any measures we implement don’t burden employers further. Excessive taxation can stifle growth, and as I mentioned, we must be cautious.
**Host:** Your interview has received praise from EPR President Gabriel Attal, who called it “fair and responsible.” What are your thoughts on coalition politics in this context?
**Antoine Armand:** Coalition politics require collaboration and understanding. We may have differing views, but it’s essential for us to work together towards shared goals, like promoting economic competitiveness while ensuring responsible fiscal policy.
**Host:** Lastly, do you see any risks with the current discussions around possible motions of censure and savings proposals?
**Antoine Armand:** I find “pseudo-blackmail into resignation” irresponsible. We must advance discussions with a focus on constructive proposals that prioritize savings without jeopardizing our economic foundations or employment levels.
**Host:** Thank you, Mr. Armand, for sharing your insights on these pressing issues.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital we continue this conversation to drive our economy forward.
