The president of the CPME François Asselin judged on Wednesday “rather reassuring” the first remarks of the new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on the economy, and considered “important” that Bruno Le Maire retains his post at Bercy.
While Mr. Attal announced on Tuesday his intention to revalue work and further free the economy, Mr. Asselin found these remarks rather reassuring, remembering that as Minister of the Budget Mr. Attal absolutely did not postpone questioned supply-side policy, and seemed to adhere to the philosophy of making businesses do well so that the economy would do well.
Mr. Asselin also found on BFM Business quite encouraging the declarations that Mr. Attal had made to the Minister of Education, on taking back control of the authority, which all of society needs.
Now that he is Prime Minister, we will try with him to implement these great announcements, added the president of the CPME.
The leader of the second representative employers’ organization also wanted the Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire to remain in Bercy: It must be said, he held his ground, I think it is important that he remains his position.
80 measurements
Mr. Asselin also indicated that the CPME was going to present to the government a catalog of 80 measures intended to simplify the lives of businesses and entrepreneurs, while a simplification project is currently open in Bercy.
He called for cleaning up the specific criminal incriminations of business leaders, and launched the idea of shifting by one notch the thresholds for the number of employees of companies, and thus the obligations attached to these thresholds.
However, he did not ignore the tsunami of influence that would fall on the shoulders of the Prime Minister, from trade union organizations or contribution funds.
Presenting the wishes of the confederation of SMEs a little later, Mr. Asselin wondered whether the social partners would be able to take on the challenge by agreeing to open an inter-professional negotiation on the means of simplifying and lightening the rules in social matters .
He was also delighted that the entrepreneurial spirit continues to inspire our fellow citizens, citing business creations which exceeded one million in 2023, even if the majority are micro-enterprises.
The lesson is that employees may be in trouble, and if we do not loosen the shackles that weigh on entrepreneurs, tomorrow it will be independent work that will take its place, he said.
He also noted that the stock market is coming back into fashion in public opinion, particularly among young people. He was delighted because we are convinced that it is through growth that we can finance the decarbonization of the economy.
Finally noting that the gap between net salary and gross salary is widening more and more, Mr. Asselin wondered if social VAT, buried a few years ago, should not be put back on the table.
Think under the five-year term of Nicolas Sarkozy, this measure aimed to increase VAT while lowering employer contributions.