It’s a gradual phenomenon but more and more significant. For the past few weeks, he has reigned in Macronie like an air of confusion. Presidential announcements stalled then staggered, texts retained until the last minute by the cabinets, blurred communication with parliamentarians or the press… A striking fluctuation in the preparation of the two main economic texts for the fall: the France 2030 investment plan and the 2022 finance bill.
The first, a time scheduled for early September, retoked by Emmanuel Macron because not innovative enough, was finally presented with great fanfare on October 12. But without any written support. The press kit was not sent by Matignon until November 2, after the filing of the government amendment specifying the amount and terms of the first “tranche” of the plan. As for the governance of a 34 billion euro device (who will pilot it? Under what conditions?), It remains unknown.
Same uncertainties about the employment income, which has become a youth employment contract (CEJ). In the spring, it was to be an extension of the youth guarantee to make it universal. The objective was then revised to concern 1 million 18-25 year olds, then 500,000… before the figure of 400,000 beneficiaries was finally announced on November 2.
“Hole” to more than 4 billion euros
The 2022 budget itself is in perpetual motion. Presented as every year at the end of September, it was missing two major files – the investment plan and the CEJ. A “hole” at more than 4 billion euros, which earned it the nickname “golf course budget” from the opposition MPs.
In addition, there are measures linked to the rise in energy and fuel prices, which have been implemented since mid-September in order to protect the purchasing power of the French. They too have, until the last minute, struggled to find their form, their costing and their place, even once officially announced. Thus the inflation allowance of 100 euros for people earning less than 2,000 euros net, which will ultimately weigh largely on 2021 (3.6 billion out of 3.8 billion). VSThis breakdown contradicts what had been transmitted ten days earlier to the High Council of Public Finances (HCFP), the body responsible for giving an opinion on the budget trajectory (1.5 billion in 2021 and 2.3 billion in 2022).
“It does not shock me that a government uses all the means at its disposal so that its text is as contemporary as possible”, defends Eric Woerth, the president (Les Républicains, LR) of the finance committee of the Assembly. He concedes all the same to have retoked “Five or six amendments” government budget this year, inadmissible because not written. “The administrations themselves are in emergency mode”, notes the deputy for Oise.
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