He wants a start. To “finance our social model and if we want to maintain it, we will have to work harder,” said Economy and Finance Minister Antoine Armand on Monday, who invited the social partners to join in this reflection. The minister also denounced “an alliance” between the PFN and the RN to increase taxes on businesses.
“The amount of hours worked in the country today is no longer sufficient to finance our social model and if we want to maintain it we will have to work harder”, “starting by ensuring that everyone respects the established working hours”, declared Antoine Armand on Europe 1/CNews, referring to the risk of a French economic “dropout”. “We need to wake up,” he said.
In case of disagreement on unemployment, “the state will take back control”
Recalling that the reform of unemployment insurance is being examined by the social partners, the minister noted that they will put forward “a proposal in the coming weeks”. “If they don’t agree, the state will take control,” he added.
He defined as “courageous” the position of the Minister of Civil Service, Guillaume Kasbarian, who wants to align public sick pay with that of the private sector. “It’s not about letting the imbalances of another era thrive in a world where we all need to work harder,” judged Antoine Armand.
The minister said he was “determined to move forward together”, with trade union leaders, to “work on the issue of working hours and aid for businesses”. “I will never accept an irresponsible budget, which leads to tax extortion”, also assured Antoine Armand, when questioned about the increase in corporate taxes by the National Assembly. He hopes that the debate that will follow in the Senate will take place “in conditions closer to those experienced by businesses”.
He also spoke of “an alliance between the New Popular Front and the National Rally” which, he said, emerged during the debates. “It’s quite new because the RN calls itself quite liberal, but we see that on corporate tax it joins the far left,” he said.
Invited to comment on “the words and deeds” of the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, Antoine Armand underlined “that with other members of the government (coalition) we have a different sensitivity.” “It’s new and we’re learning,” he added, but “what we can share, whatever our political sensibilities, is the need for authority.”
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Economy and Finance Minister Antoine Armand
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Minister Armand! Thank you for joining us today. Your comments on the need to finance France’s social model have certainly sparked a lot of discussions. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “we will have to work harder”?
Antoine Armand: Good morning, and thank you for having me. When I say we need to work harder, I mean that the current amount of hours worked in the country isn’t sufficient to sustainably finance our social model. If we wish to maintain the level of support and services that our citizens expect, we need to increase productivity and ensure everyone adheres to established working hours.
Time.news Editor: Interesting point. You also mentioned a potential risk of a “French economic dropout.” Can you explain what that entails?
Antoine Armand: Absolutely. The term signifies a situation where our economy starts to stagnate or decline due to insufficient participation in the workforce. If people are not contributing enough hours to the economy, this reduces the funds available for social services, health, and pensions. It’s imperative that we collectively recognize this risk and take proactive steps to mitigate it.
Time.news Editor: You recently commented on an “alliance” between the PFN and the RN aimed at increasing taxes on businesses. Could you clarify your position on that?
Antoine Armand: Yes, I find that troubling. Such alliances can hinder our economic growth and make it more difficult for businesses to thrive. Increased taxes can lead to reduced investments and ultimately harm job creation. We need to strike a balance that supports economic activity without overburdening the businesses that drive our economy.
Time.news Editor: Shifting gears a bit, you’ve mentioned upcoming changes regarding unemployment insurance reforms. What can we expect in the coming weeks?
Antoine Armand: We are currently in discussions with social partners about reforms to unemployment insurance. If we do not reach a consensus soon, it’s important for me to clarify that the state will step in to take control. The goal is to ensure that the system remains fair and supportive, particularly as we navigate these economic challenges.
Time.news Editor: Some may view that as a heavy-handed approach. How do you respond to those concerns?
Antoine Armand: I understand that perspective. However, the urgency of our current economic climate necessitates decisive action. The reforms are designed to improve the social safety net while ensuring sustainability so that we help those who need it most without compromising the future of our economy.
Time.news Editor: You referred to the position of your colleague, the Minister of Civil Service, as “courageous.” In what way do you see this courage reflected in your policies?
Antoine Armand: It takes courage to address difficult issues head-on, particularly when they may be unpopular. The reforms we are proposing, including potential changes to working hours and unemployment insurance, require frank discussions and a commitment to long-term solutions over short-term gain.
Time.news Editor: Before we wrap up, what do you hope will be the outcome of your efforts?
Antoine Armand: My hope is to foster an engaged dialogue between the government, businesses, and workers to build a sustainable future for France. We must ensure that our social model is robust and that our economy can truly thrive. By working together, I believe we can achieve this.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Minister Armand, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear that these issues are complex and require careful consideration as you move forward with your policies.
Antoine Armand: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important matters. I appreciate the interest in our collective future.