“We are not afraid of big bosses“, assured Roland Lescure, Monday, September 5 on franceinfo. The Minister Delegate in charge of Industry was questioned about the government’s refusal, at this stage, to introduce a tax on super-profits. “We believe in corporate responsibility“, he says. Also, he expects that “very large companies are making efforts, this is already the case today“.”What I would like, on the other hand, is that we typically stop somewhat systematically throwing stones at large companies as if they were the enemy“, he launches.
>> Five questions on the taxation of the super-profits of large companies demanded by the Nupes and the National Rally
Roland Lescure takes the example of Total. “I prefer that Total electrify the terminals in all its service stations, I prefer that Total make discounts on prices at the pump, I prefer that Total make the Macron bonus for all its employees rather than taxing them“, he listed. On the other hand, “if Total does not“, the government will act, as the Prime Minister has already indicated.
“We will take stock by the end of the year to see if some companies have not heard our message.“, indeed warned Élisabeth Borne, Thursday on France Inter. “If some didn’t, we don’t close the door“to a taxation of super-profits in companies, she repeated.
Roland Lescure also reacted to an announcement made on Sunday by the German government. The latter will plead for the introduction, at European level, of a compulsory contribution to be paid by companies in the energy sector. If the negotiations fail, Berlin is ready to go it alone by adopting a measure at the national level.
“Germany has not announced a tax“on super-profits, demines the minister.”What was announced by the German government yesterday is an exceptional contribution from energy producers on national territory who benefit from a high gas price and who will suddenly contribute to the state budget.In the European Union, electricity prices indeed follow those of gas.
“What Germany is doing is setting up what already exists in France for alternative energy producers, which also exists for EDF“, he assures. “We have been criticized enough for this, including by EDF itself“, he points.