Charles de Courson, general budget rapporteur, estimated on Monday that tax measures concentrated on very high incomes would only bring in “a few hundred million”. He pleads for “savings on expenses”.
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“The main effort must focus on reducing expenditure, and not on revenue,” said, Monday, September 30, Charles de Courson, the general budget rapporteur, while the new government is working on the finance bill in a context of an abysmal budget deficit.
“All reasonable people say that, between savings on spending and some tax increases, we need to make between 25 and 30 billion, but that the main effort must focus on reducing spending, that is- i.e. about savings”, explains Charles de Courson. “I am always surprised that we only talk about increasing revenues, even if we have to do some,” he adds.
The first ideas for the 2025 budget will undoubtedly be revealed on Tuesday October 1 by the Prime Minister, during his general policy declaration. In the meantime, speculation is rife between tax increases and budget cuts. The budget rapporteur does not look favorably on a tax increase for the French. “We are already the most taxed people in Europe, even in the world. If we have to make an effort on revenue, it is in the name of a certain solidarity between our wealthiest fellow citizens and the very large companies and the rest of society”, he emphasizes.
The option of freezing the scale which would have mechanically increased taxes for many taxpayers seems abandoned by the government. Charles de Courson does not confirm this, but according to him, “freeze the last two tranches, it will bring you 200 million, come on” euros, barely, he estimates, while the government must make 30 billion euros in savings. “You have to make at least 75%, 80% of the expenditure.
“If you take a few measures on very high incomes, it will bring you a few hundred million euros”
Charles de Courson, general budget rapporteurat franceinfo
Charles de Courson puts into perspective the scope of an exceptional contribution from large companies. “If it only concerns very large companies, there are some which are very profitable, there are others which are not very profitable or not. I would also add that many of these large companies make a good part of their profits abroad”, explains Charles de Courson.
He calls for “moderation in words” from political parties. “Let’s discuss a balance between reducing spending and some increases in revenue,” he said. “This is, moreover, according to his declarations, the orientation of the Prime Minister”concludes Charles de Courson.