Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces challenges as he presents the 2025 budget bill, aiming to reduce France’s public deficit. He plans to cut civil servant jobs, raise taxes, and reduce subsidies. However, his austerity measures are met with criticism from across the political spectrum. While the left denounces the budget as harsh, the far right criticizes its distribution of financial burden.
Even members of President Macron’s party express concerns about the budget. Disagreements arise over increased social contributions for companies and pension freezes. Macron himself warns against overtaxation but faces pushback within his coalition due to the budget’s impact on labor costs and business competitiveness.
Despite the challenges, Barnier remains steadfast in his approach, aiming to navigate France’s economic complexities and lead the country towards financial stability. The budget bill’s journey through Parliament will be a test of Barnier’s leadership and the resilience of France’s fiscal framework.