MEPs adopt a measure on “super-dividends” against the opinion of the government

A new setback for the executive. MEPs adopted, on Wednesday, October 12, at first reading, an amendment to the budget for 2023 aimed at deterring – by means of a temporary increase in a tax – large companies from distributing exceptional results in “super-dividends” .

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This amendment to the finance bill for 2023 had been tabled by the MoDem, which is nevertheless part of the presidential majority, but was the subject of an unfavorable opinion from the executive.

But the amendment of the MoDem was able to be adopted (227 votes for, 88 against) thanks in particular to the support of the groups of Nupes and that of the National Rally. He also received the support of 19 MPs from the Renaissance group. MEPs from the Horizons group mostly abstained.

Despite the general rapporteur’s requests for withdrawal @jrcazeneuve and the minister @GabrielAttalthe amendment of @jp_mattei aimed at taxing at 35% the super-dividends exceeding by 20% the average of those paid during the last five years, is adopted. #DirectAN #PLF2023 pic.twitter.com/gPzGvmT3IX

—LCP (@LCP) October 12, 2022

“The macronie is collapsing!” commented the rebellious deputy Manuel Bompard on Twitter. “We have a perfect illustration of the fact that you are in your hallway and you do not want to leave”he launched to the government, recalling that the executive says it is open to proposals from deputies but did not support an idea from the MoDem. “It’s a very reasonable, very constructive amendment”said far-right deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy.

The adopted text targets large companies, above a certain turnover threshold. He plans “a temporary increase of 5 points in the single flat-rate levy”bringing it to 35%, on distributed dividends or share buybacks, when this income is “20% higher than the average income distributed between 2017 and 2021”.