Posted Jul 28, 2022, 12:26 PMUpdated on Jul 28, 2022 at 12:35 PM
The examination of the bill on purchasing power began this Thursday morning in public session in the Senate. In the Hemicycle, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, reiterated the framework and the “red line” that the executive has set for the adoption of all the measures calibrated at 20 billion euros by the government.
“The additional spending envelope of the purchasing power package could reach 700 million euros, no more, no less,” launched the Bercy tenant. “We are coming out of the National Assembly with a text which specifically commits 350 million euros in additional expenditure. I hope, to set the course, that at the end of our debates in the Senate, we can have increases in expenditure that are comparable, ”he said. Adding “It seems responsible to me and it seems reasonable to me.”
The Minister once again hammered home the objective of bringing the deficit below 3% of GDP at the end of the five-year term and to 5% in 2022. “Every euro counts”, he declared, insisting in particular on “ the 12 billion euros in credits opened to take account of the increase in the debt burden, 10% of which is indexed to inflation”.
“Bruno Le Maire announces at the outset the amount of the additional amendments dealt with LR in the Senate: 350 million euros … if it does not bother him, we will still debate!”, reacted on Twitter the senator PS Marie-Pierre of Gontrie.
Taxation des superprofits
Among the hot topics, Bruno Le Maire mentioned fuel, for which a compromise was found with the LR group in the National Assembly: the rebate will be increased at the start of the school year and the check project targeting low-income workers is abandoned. “If we combine all our measures, we will have a price of around 1.50 euros for petrol and diesel at the start of the school year, and that is the only thing that matters for our compatriots”, he argued.
“I would like us not to open this debate again (…) Some in the Senate find that it is insufficient and that superprofits should be taxed”, pointed out the minister. A call launched, while the centrists are ready to vote in favor of an exceptional contribution imposed on large groups, alongside left-wing senators. The fact that TotalEnergies unveiled very good financial results in the first half obviously did not escape elected officials. “I repeat my opposition, I am against new taxes,” insisted Bruno Le Maire.
Another subject is the compensation provided to local authorities. The minister believes that the answers to the concerns have been found, with the targeted device of 180 million euros for the municipalities put in difficulty by the prices of energy and inflation – a gesture which was proposed by the deputy socialist Christine Pirès-Beaune. On the other hand, he pointed the amendment to 120 million to compensate for the increase in the RSA to the departments. “Sorry to say it, but it is also good to take into account those who have bad management”.
«Prime Macron»
The senators have already started to move the text in committee at the start of the week. In particular, they adopted an amendment to restrict the conditions for the sustainability of the purchasing power bonus (“Macron bonus”): from 2024, it could no longer be paid in companies with more than 50 employees. They also voted in favor of a temporary reduction in employer contributions on overtime, the amount to be fixed by decree.
Still on the “work” side, the president of the LR group in the Senate, Bruno Retailleau, indicated that his group would defend a revaluation of the RSA by 3.5% – like the increase in the index point for civil servants – and not by 4 % as provided for in the text voted on at the Meeting.