Public deficit, government savings plans, fight against tax fraud… Thomas Cazenave’s “8h30 franceinfo”

The Minister for Public Accounts was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo”, Thursday March 21, 2024.

Thomas Cazenave, Minister for Public Accounts, was the guest of “8:30 a.m. franceinfo”, Thursday March 21, 2024. France’s public deficit, avenues envisaged to save money, fight against tax fraud… He answered Salhia’s questions Brakhlia and Jérôme Chapuis.

The public deficit will be “greater than 5%” in 2023

Before the publication of official INSEE figures, Thomas Cazenave admits that France’s public deficit, forecast at 4.9% of GDP, will be “greater than 5%”due to the “international context”.

The delegate minister highlights “an external shock” which means that growth had to be reviewed, with “the Chinese slowdown, the war in Ukraine” or “the slowdown of our European partners”especially Germany.

🔴Public deficit ➡️ “When I hear Marine Le Pen giving us lessons in public finances, I pinch myself,” asserts Thomas Cazenave. pic.twitter.com/rNY7DPJ6N2

— franceinfo (@franceinfo) March 21, 2024

Government savings plan: “I’m waiting for the proposals”

With a target of 10 billion euros in savings in 2024 and “at least 20 billion” in 2025, at the top of the State, we are racking our brains to find avenues. This is why Emmanuel Macron received ministers and executives of his majority on Wednesday evening at the Élysée. “It is not written, this budget [2025]”assures Thomas Cazenave, who was one of the guests. “I am waiting for the proposals from the majority and the opposition”, he says.​

On taxes, the president’s position has not changed: he refuses any further increase. “Before talking about tax increases”we must first see if “we collect all taxes”, points out Thomas Cazenave. On the other hand, he “categorically denies” All “project to reform, abolish or reduce personalized housing assistance [APL]”. “I don’t know where this information came from.”the delegate minister is indignant.

🔴 APL ➡️ “There are no plans to reform, eliminate or reduce public housing assistance,” explains Thomas Cazenave. pic.twitter.com/HYXh1gr0Uc

— franceinfo (@franceinfo) March 21, 2024

​Tax fraud: “we have made progress, there is still a lot” to do

After the Prime Minister’s announcement on Wednesday of “historical results” in terms of tax recovery, to the tune of 15.2 billion euros in 2023, Thomas Cazenave also welcomes “a very important innovation”: Since “on January 1, we have a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, which is an international agreement”. “It’s a big victory, a big step forward in the fight against tax evasion”according to the Minister for Public Accounts.

“We have made a lot of progress”applauds Thomas Cazenave. “Is there still work to be done on the subject? ? Yes”admits the minister, particularly on individuals. “This is where we must put the emphasis”he concludes.

Find the entire “8h30 franceinfo” of Thursday March 21, 2024: