The government is getting closer and closer to the idea of taxing superprofits, without wanting to formally adopt it. While, on Monday, the National Assembly began examining the bill governing the 2023 budget, the government proposed amendments requesting a contribution from energy supply companies, in the midst of rising prices and the crisis of supply.
The executive will make two amendments to the finance bill wanting to transcribe in France a European agreement aimed at involving energy companies. The first will set the ceiling for income from the production of electricity from nuclear and renewables, which have taken off solely because of the link between the price of electricity and that of gas and coal. European countries will be able to collect revenue above this cap to support consumers.
The second sees “the creation of a temporary solidarity contribution from companies in the oil, coal, refining and gas sectors”. This contribution is set at 33% of profits that are more than 20% higher than the average for the years 2019-2021. These amendments therefore aim to push companies to contribute to national budgets in the midst of the energy crisis, without going to the taxation of “superprofits”, an idea already dismissed by the majority.
The left and the extreme right want to go further
Since this summer, the idea of a tax on these exceptional profits has made its way among several opposition parties. The Nupes (LFI, PS, PCF and EELV), which is calling for a referendum on the question, wants taxation of 20% to 33% until the end of 2025 for all companies with a turnover of more than 750 million euros. euros and having made profits more than 25% higher than the average of those made between 2017 and 2019.
At the National Rally, we are also campaigning for a national tax, with in particular an amendment targeting the “surplus profits” of oil and gas companies, maritime transport and motorway concessionaires.
The deputies will begin at best on Tuesday to tackle the amendments of the PLF, which notably includes a “tariff shield” of 45 billion euros in the face of the explosion in energy prices. And the discussions around the finance bill promise to be eventful.
Too expensive for the right, “austerity” for the left, “subject” to Brussels according to the RN: the oppositions have ruled out supporting this 2023 budget. And the “Bercy dialogues”, organized in September by the government with deputies from all sides, nothing has changed. Recourse to Article 49.3 of the Constitution therefore seems inevitable. In the hand of the executive, this tool makes it possible to pass a text without a vote, unless a motion of censure is adopted.