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 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 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.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The Senate wants to push the government to make employees work more to finance old age policies
Read later
“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”.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The budget, trial by fire for Antoine Armand
Read later
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”.
Newsletter
” Policy “
Every week, “Le Monde” analyzes current political issues for you
Register
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.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In the National Assembly, Michel Barnier weakened by the everyone-for-himself strategies of Gabriel Attal and Laurent Wauquiez
Read later
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”.
Reuse this content
1732167722
#Minister #Economy #Antoine #Armand #shows #support #businesses
How does coalition politics influence Minister Antoine Armand’s financial strategies and decision-making?
**Interview with Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Armand. You’ve recently made headlines with your remarks regarding employer contributions and the competitiveness of businesses in France. Can you elaborate on your stance?
**Antoine Armand**: Thank you for having me. My main message is clear: it is not by bludgeoning businesses and increasing labor costs that we create jobs and growth. The EPR group is right to insist on preserving contribution reductions as much as possible. Excessive taxation could stifle our economy, and we need to tread carefully.
**Interviewer**: You’ve mentioned the potential risk of increasing labor costs. What are your thoughts on this, especially in light of the recent reductions proposed by the Senate in the Social Security budget?
**Antoine Armand**: Indeed, the Senate’s decision to reduce employer contribution reductions has raised concerns. My political family underscores that businesses must not be the adjustment variable in our budget. We must seek alternative means to support our finances without placing an additional burden on employers.
**Interviewer**: You also mentioned that coalition politics plays a significant role in this discussion. Can you explain how the coalition impacts your approach to these financial strategies?
**Antoine Armand**: Absolutely. I am part of both Michel Barnier’s team and the Ensemble pour la République family. Coalition politics means that we have to collaborate with various political forces, even when we don’t agree on everything. It’s crucial to maintain open discussions to find common ground, especially regarding critical issues like public economic health.
**Interviewer**: Gabriel Attal called your interview “fair and responsible.” How do you see the support from your colleagues, and what does it mean for your initiatives?
**Antoine Armand**: Having support from colleagues like Gabriel Attal reinforces our commitment to a competitive economy that supports employment. Their backing is vital as we explore alternative methods for managing financial challenges while preserving job growth. We have a shared responsibility to listen to each other, and I’m grateful for the collaborative spirit we maintain.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, you’ve mentioned the possibility of censure motions if your requests are unheeded. Could you elaborate on your concerns regarding this?
**Antoine Armand**: I find the “pseudo-blackmail into resignation” approach to be irresponsible. It’s essential that we negotiate with good faith, and I believe in the necessity of adjustments, provided they come with serious savings proposals. Collaboration and dialog are key to navigating these complex issues effectively.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Minister Armand, for your insights. It’s clear that balancing economic growth with fiscal responsibility is a challenging but essential task ahead.
**Antoine Armand**: Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective. It’s imperative that we work together to ensure a sustainable economic future for all.
