Senators and deputies approved, on Wednesday, November 27, a reduction in exemptions from business contributions of up to 1.6 billion euros by 2025, during the meeting of the joint commission (CMP) of the Assembly to reach a compromise on the budget of Social Security, as reported by Parliament. sources.
This reduction, which is equivalent to an increase in the cost of labor, is one of the most flammable measures of this draft budget, vigorously fought by the deputies of the Ensemble pour la République, the main group of the government coalition in the Assembly. Its representative, Stéphanie Rist, voted against it in the CMP, but ultimately should not oppose the text drawn up by the latter.
“The moment forces us and we are a party of responsible people. Therefore, we will vote in favor of the mixed commission, so as not to provide additional arguments and elements for a possible destabilization that would be much worse for our country and especially for the French if we vote against this CMP.”had underlined Mme Rist at noon.
Tax on sugary drinks
The Government initially expected 4,000 million euros from this measure, reduced to 3,000 million euros in the version of the text adopted on Tuesday in the Senate. The Assembly failed to complete its consideration of the text within the allotted time.
MPs continued on Wednesday afternoon to examine the articles of this draft budget, including a measure, strongly contested by the RN, that will result in a pension increase below inflation for more than half of retirees in 2025.
During their debates, they rejected a measure adopted in the Senate aimed at making workers work without pay for seven more hours a year to finance the disability and old age sector. On the other hand, they confirmed the increase in a tax on sugary drinks, but rejected a faster than expected increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes.
If the agreement is confirmed, the Social Security financing bill for 2025, in its compromise version, should result on Monday in a high-risk 49.3 for Michel Barnier and his government before the National Assembly.
