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 do you envision collaboration among coalition members with differing opinions affecting fiscal policy decisions moving forward?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Armand. You recently expressed concerns regarding the potential increase in labor costs due to new taxation proposals. Could you elaborate on why you believe it’s vital not to burden businesses further?
**Antoine Armand**: Absolutely. My political philosophy is clear: **“It is not by bludgeoning businesses and increasing labor costs that we create jobs and growth.”** The EPR group, which I am part of, strongly advocates for preserving contribution reductions. We need to ensure that businesses are not seen as the adjustment variable when it comes to fiscal policies.
**Interviewer**: There are discussions about adjustments in employer contributions to public transport. How do you see this impacting businesses?
**Antoine Armand**: The idea of increasing the mobility payment could lead to higher costs for employers, which is counterproductive. We must tread carefully on taxation. **“Be careful of the excess tax!”** is a message we need to take to heart. Increasing these costs could stifle job creation and economic growth.
**Interviewer**: Gabriel Attal, the president of the EPR group, praised your recent comments, calling them **“fair and responsible.”** How do you view the coalition dynamics within the government, especially with members who may have differing opinions?
**Antoine Armand**: I believe in transparency and collaboration. I am here as part of Michel Barnier’s team, yet I am also firmly part of the Ensemble pour la République family. We recognize our differences, but coexistence in a coalition means we work together despite them. Our focus must remain on doing what’s best for the economy and employment.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that any threats of resignation or **“pseudo-blackmail”** are irresponsible. What do you propose as the way forward?
**Antoine Armand**: It’s essential to have open dialog about necessary adjustments while ensuring we also explore savings proposals. Regular collaboration is crucial. For instance, if we can discuss streamlining certain expenditures in return for adjustments, we can find common ground that benefits everyone involved.
**Interviewer**: As we approach the budget discussions, what challenges do you foresee?
**Antoine Armand**: One significant challenge is the balance between fiscal responsibility and maintaining a competitive business environment. The recent Senate decisions regarding the reductions in employer contributions are concerning. We must navigate these waters carefully to bolster our economy rather than hinder it.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Minister Armand, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Antoine Armand**: Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we continue this conversation as we move forward together.
