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 does Antoine Armand propose to address concerns regarding the removal of reductions in employer contributions?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Armand. In a recent interview, you expressed concerns about the potential for increasing labour costs through higher taxes on businesses. Can you elaborate on your position?
**Antoine Armand:** Absolutely. My political family and I firmly believe that raising labour costs through excessive taxation will not lead to job creation or economic growth. We need to focus on preserving contribution reductions to alleviate the financial burden on our businesses, which are crucial for sustaining our economy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the EPR group’s stance on this issue. How do you see their role in this coalition?
**Antoine Armand:** The EPR group is vital. We need to communicate openly and work together, even if there are disagreements. The coalition is built on collaboration. Our common goal is to enhance the competitiveness of our economy while ensuring we do not compromise employment.
**Interviewer:** There are concerns about the removal of reductions in employer contributions in the Social Security budget. How do you plan to address these concerns?
**Antoine Armand:** The recent reduction of employer contributions is indeed concerning. My message is clear: businesses should not be the adjustment variable in our budgeting process. We must explore alternative solutions that do not involve raising charges on businesses. I urge caution against excessive taxation, as it could have adverse effects on employment and growth.
**Interviewer:** Gabriel Attal has described your interview as “fair and responsible.” What message do you wish to send to the public and your colleagues regarding economic policies?
**Antoine Armand:** I appreciate Mr. Attal’s support. The message is one of stability and prudence. We must protect our businesses while working together to devise savings proposals. It’s crucial for the coalition to find a path that upholds our economic principles without compromising our social obligations.
**Interviewer:** are you concerned about any political backlash or potential motions of censure from those who oppose your views?
**Antoine Armand:** I consider it irresponsible to engage in what I call “pseudo-blackmail into resignation.” We have always been open to dialog and adjustments based on constructive proposals. Our focus remains on working collaboratively rather than succumbing to political fearmongering.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Armand, for your insights and for shedding light on these pressing issues.
**Antoine Armand:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue this important discussion about our economy and employment policies.
