Last interview before the big jump. On the eve of the opening of debates in the Assembly on its budget, Michel Barnier chose to speak at length in the JDD. In addition to immigration, the Prime Minister mentioned the measures he is preparing to defend, despite a text that has been heavily revised in committee. In this reworked version, “the NFP amendments were not even articulated among themselves”, he tackles, denouncing “tens of billions in additional taxes (which) would lead to weakening our businesses and purchasing power of our fellow citizens.”
Michel Barnier also criticized the perpetuation of the additional contribution from large companies, voted by the Modem. “I am committed to ensuring that no temporary tax becomes permanent,” he promises in the media owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré. “It is on this condition alone that taxpayers who are asked to make an additional effort will agree to do so. »
“A trajectory of reforms lasting until 2029”
Because for Prime Minister LR, “everyone will have to roll up their sleeves”. Including the most precarious. “Pensions are sometimes very low. Nevertheless, they benefited from a significant boost last January,” he points out to justify the planned postponement of the indexation of pensions, which is causing tension even within his party. Another entity that must make an effort: the state administration. Careful with words so as not to accuse or offend, wishing to “address directly to the agents and executives of each administration”, Michel Barnier nevertheless outlines the objective: “better use of public money” and “the reduction of 10% of the number of State operators” within four years.
Michel Barnier is indeed ambitious, who wishes to go even beyond Emmanuel Macron’s mandate and include the 2025 Budget “in a trajectory of reforms extending until 2029”. Even if he regrets “having to present defensive measures and in such an emergency”, scratching Gabriel Attal in passing and detailing the debt figures. But he is not the “pessimistic” type, and points out that “we are enjoying a growth rate of 1.1% and inflation continues to fall”, which he sees as a good sign for businesses. .
Including for sectors in difficulty, such as automobiles or housing. “We will cope,” he insists. “One of the keys to growth and investment is stability and a course towards the competitiveness of our economy,” according to him. And Michel Barnier wants to be inflexible on this stability, even if it means using 49.3 to “avoid a parliamentary blockage”.
