It is becoming more of a political than an economic issue. Even as the government procrastinates, Gabriel Attal on franceinfo, Tuesday July 19, does not rule out this idea of a tax on “super profits”, but not immediately, at the end of the year. And even if, and only if, the large groups have made no effort on their own on purchasing power, and if, and only if, it makes economic sense.
And he is not wrong the Minister Delegate for Public Accounts: this “super tax” can be window dressing. In the case of TotalÉnergies, the example that comes up the most, the gain for the State is likely to be infinitesimal because the bulk of Total’s profits are made abroad, in producing countries such as Algeria or Nigeria. However, the group is already paying these States what it owes them.
And it is therefore a political question that arises, with, already, the outline of a majority of ideas on the question in the Assembly. And this text, tall the left can already vote for it. La Nupes already has 151 deputies. And then there is Marine Le Penwho also proposed last month on franceinfo to table an amendment to levy what she called “the war profiteers“, a term used by Emmanuel Macron himself. That makes 89 more deputies who can vote for a tax.
More surprisingly, Olivier Marleix, president of the Les Républicains group in the Assembly, said on Tuesday July 19 that he had “no hostility to the law making more use of tankers, if necessary”including taxing their “great profit”. And here are 62 more deputies to adopt such a tax.
However, all together – LR, RN and the left groups of Nupes – that makes 302 deputies. Largely more than enough to impose this tax, if necessary, on a government reluctant to implement it. And now the debate is taking place within Macronie itself since twelve Renaissance deputies, the president’s party, have also tabled an amendment to the “purchasing power” bill to create this tax. A “exceptional contribution of solidarity“on company profits”oil and gas and shipping companies”, whose turnover exceeds one billion euros.
In fact, Emmanuel Macron may not have a choice. Besides, thehe debate will benefit him whatever the outcome: either the deputies agree, then the tax is voted in terms consistent with the Senate – which is not necessarily self-evident – and Emmanuel Macron will be able to claim it merit by saying:I heard Parliament, I kept my promise of a new method based on listening“. And by the way, these will be new recipes, even symbolic, for a heavily indebted state.
Either the tax is rejected, or even censored by the Constitutional Council. And it is the position of the government that prevails. The promise not to raise taxes is kept. So the Elysée has every interest in letting things happen. Especially since this debate was revived by Emmanuel Macron himself last month, speaking of “war profiteers” at the G7 in Germany. It would be incomprehensible that his remarks were only a comment without consequences for those he himself pointed the finger at.