The Nupes project to tax the “superprofits” of companies “does not meet the conditions” set to be able to be the subject of a shared initiative referendum (RIP), the Constitutional Council ruled on Tuesday.
The bill of the left alliance (LFI, PS, PCF and EELV) creating an additional contribution on the exceptional profits of large companies does not meet the constitutional and organic conditions provided for, considered the Elders.
The Nupes wanted to be able to submit a citizen consultation to its bill, presented a month ago and signed by 240 parliamentarians, aimed at taxing crisis profiteers at the heart of heated political debate.
In its sights: large companies with a turnover of more than 750 million euros and profits more than 25% higher than the average of those made between 2017 and 2019, which would be taxed from 20% to 33% until the end of 2025 .
But the decision of the Constitutional Council cut short his hope of a referendum, without even passing the next stage of the procedure of the RIP, which required the collection of nearly 5 million signatures of support.
According to the Elders, the Nupes project does not correspond to the category of texts which can be the subject of a RIP, under the terms of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Council notes that the sole effect of the proposal is to supplement the State budget by the introduction until December 31, 2025 of a measure which is limited to increasing the level of existing taxation of the profits of certain companies. .
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While it would have had to be a reform relating to the economic policy of the Nation to meet the required conditions.
I do not understand the opinion of the Constitutional Council, reacted the deputy Insoumis Eric Coquerel on Twitter. Between the impediment of the RIP and the 49-3 which deprives us of putting it to the vote, the capitalist rent is well protected.
The left is convinced that the majority of French people are in favor of this increased taxation of superprofits, after the shock caused by the impressive results of large groups such as TotalEnergies, Sanofi or even the shipowner CMA CGM, in the midst of a crisis and power to purchase at half mast.