What to remember from Michel Barnier’s interview on France 2
Michel Barnier was questioned at length this Thursday afternoon about the narrow budget that he is preparing to present and thanks to which he hopes to reduce the debt by 60 billion euros. Deny everything “fiscal shock”as some claim, and any policy “austerity” and of “rigor”The Prime Minister revealed some details about the tax increases planned in the budget and answered questions about the policy he intends to apply in Matignon.
- 300 companies affected by tax increases
“We are going to ask for an effort from the largest companies that earn more than a billion [d’euros de chiffre d’affaires] and a temporary exceptional effort” recalled, specifying that some “300 companies” would be affected. HE ” time “ of this additional contribution “shall be fixed by law”AND “It will be a year and maybe two years”he clarified. “But there will be no new taxes for almost all of the 4 million companies”said.
- 2 billion in income thanks to high-income taxation
Increasing taxes on the richest households will allow “Recover 2 billion euros”estimated, confirming that the affected households will be, for example, “couples with tax income exceeding 500,000 euros”.
- Postponement of pension indexation, a “fair” effort
Confirming the six-month postponement of the indexation of retirement pensions to inflation − from 1Ahem July 2025 instead of July 1.Ahem In January, the Prime Minister admitted that he was calling for ” effort “ to retirees. “I ask everyone to make an effort (…). And I think this is fair and proportionate, although I know it is difficult.”he defended. However, the Prime Minister recalled that Parliament, “free to suggest changes”will decide “maybe differently”during budget debates.
- Savings in learning aid, health transportation and thanks to the non-replacement of civil servants
Asked about the 40 billion savings planned in the budget to be presented next week, Michel Barnier outlined some ideas: public services “merged”the non-replacement of certain officials “ when they are not in direct contact with citizens”, the grouping “administrations or state agencies that make duplicates.” The head of Government mentioned the reorientation of aid granted to learning companies but also to medical transport for which France “spends billions”according to him.
- Immigration: “I am the one who draws the line”
Following the controversial statements of the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, particularly regarding the rule of law, the Prime Minister assured: “I am the one who draws the line” about immigration. “There will be rigorous measures to [la] teacher “he insisted. The prime minister appeared to rule out the idea of a new immigration law, as requested by Marine Le Pen.
- End of life: Michel Barnier “personally agree” with the initial version of the bill
On this delicate issue that fractures political personnel, Michel Barnier says “favorable to resuming work at the time it was interrupted, [après] “a very deep debate in Parliament that was suspended due to the dissolution”and confesses to having been “personally agree” with the initial version of the text opening a “assisted death” below “strict conditions.”
