Is it the political configuration? The tense economic environment? Or the presence at Matignon of Elisabeth Borne, more to the left than her predecessor? In recent months, the voices which, in the majority or within the government, question the policy of supply led by the executive in the economic field have become more audible. Taxation of private jets or superprofits, reduction of social security contributions… Proposals are flourishing in Macronie and among its allies in favor of a less accommodating policy for companies and the wealthiest. Without always succeeding, but with greater efficiency than a few months ago.
Budget texts are a privileged platform for debating economic policy, and the second part of the 2023 finance bill, which arrives in the Chamber on Thursday 27 October, should be no exception to the rule. But until this year, the debates had left little room for the elected representatives of the majority to leave their mark. The absence of an absolute majority since this summer has changed the situation. And the deputies take the opportunity to make their score heard.
“It is both a political and economic calculation”, summarizes Jérôme Fourquet, director of the opinion and business strategies department at the IFOP. The left of the majority, which feels “grow wings”, seeks to structure itself in the post-Macron perspective. Added to this is an inflationary context which “puts great pressure on the purchasing power »according to him, and who “does not necessarily fit with the idea that business competitiveness and investment should be supported”, he notes. The crisis sharpens a demand for fairness and exemplarity, abounds an economist close to power, to which the executive responds little or badly. “Equity is not just distributing money, it is proving that we are correcting inequalities”, he judges. In his eyes, rather than “let a narrative of neoliberal greed flourish”the Head of State would have an interest in doing “a small gesture on the taxation of capital”.
A “barycenter more to the center left”
Within the majority, and not just on the left wing, some believe it is their responsibility to influence government policy, particularly in the face of an economy minister like Bruno Le Maire, who stubbornly defends a pro-business line which he wants to make its trademark for the future. An orientation reaffirmed by Emmanuel Macron, Wednesday, October 26, on France 2, when he reiterated his opposition to any tax hike.
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