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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**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Armand. To start, can you share your thoughts on the recent discussions about potential increases in employer contributions and how that might impact businesses?
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. My stance is clear: it is not by burdening businesses and increasing labor costs that we can create jobs and stimulate growth. The EPR group has emphasized the importance of preserving contribution reductions, and I fully support this perspective. We must tread carefully regarding any tax increases that could hinder our economic competitiveness.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of maintaining contribution reductions. How do you propose to balance these reductions with the need for public funding, especially in the context of social security?
**Antoine Armand:** It’s crucial that we find alternative avenues for funding without compromising our economic stability. We must look for savings and efficiencies within the system rather than resorting to increasing charges on businesses. The notion that businesses should be the adjustment variable is misguided. We need constructive dialogue and cooperation among political parties to achieve this.
**Interviewer:** In your interview, you referenced a coalition environment, where different political views can lead to compromise. Could you elaborate on the challenges you face within this coalition, particularly regarding your discussions with Michel Barnier and other deputies?
**Antoine Armand:** Absolutely. Being part of a coalition means that we often navigate differing opinions and interests. While there are sticking points, like the issue of employer contributions, I believe that constructive discussions are key to our ability to govern effectively. Michel Barnier has always been willing to consider adjustments in exchange for viable savings proposals, and we must keep that spirit of collaboration alive.
**Interviewer:** Gabriel Attal described your recent interview as “fair and responsible.” How do you feel about the support from your colleagues, and what does it mean for your initiatives moving forward?
**Antoine Armand:** It’s encouraging to receive positive feedback from colleagues like Gabriel Attal, especially as we strive to uphold the competitiveness of our economy while ensuring we support employment. This support reinforces the idea that we are all working towards a common goal—creating viable economic solutions without overburdening businesses.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Armand. Your insights into the balance between economic growth and responsible governance are certainly pertinent as we face these challenges ahead.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. We must remain vigilant and proactive in seeking paths that ensure both economic and social stability.
