The government wanted to know the outcome of EU summit Wednesday evening, presented as crucial for the future of the euro area, prior to revise downward its growth forecasts. Despite the success of the meeting of the seventeen member countries of the euro area, which found the night of Wednesday to Thursday an agreement to stem the crisis at the moment on the Old Continent, the head of state n has been recognized that the Thursday night: the economy would not be up to expectations next year.
Until then, Bercy expected a GDP growth of 1.75% in 2012. But since the beginning of summer, the situation has deteriorated considerably. "For the sake of seriousness, we decided to lower our forecast to 1% next year," said Nicolas Sarkozy, who is aligned and the assumption by our German neighbor.And, near the line thickness, on the average forecast of economists (0.9%).
To keep the deficit targets despite this deterioration – and this is the top priority – must be found "6-8000000000" euros in savings or additional tax revenue next year, said Chief of the state.
Nicolas Sarkozy has asked Prime Minister Francois Fillon, with Valérie Pécresse (Budget) and Baroin (Economics), floor of the copy. And this new austerity program will be announced "in ten days," just after the G20 which takes place in Cannes.
What is certain is that "we must spend less on operating and investment to support growth (…).What we're announcing is not the rigor is the careful management ", insisted the president.
Without going into details of the options considered, the president said he did not intend to "increase the action" but "favor those that will strengthen the competitiveness" of the French economy. The executive knows that he can no longer take the risk of asphyxiating the remaining activity by a strict discipline, which would result in a tightening of the French.
No general increase in VAT
Why Nicolas Sarkozy has already categorically excluded "a general increase in VAT" which "would affect the purchasing power." "Francois Fillon did not propose, I have already spoken with him," he said.But calling for a tax harmonization with Germany, the president did not rule out the idea of raising the reduced rate (set at 7% across the Rhine at home against 5.5%) or the introduction of an intermediate VAT rate (between 5.5% and 19.6%) for products now subject to a reduced rate (catering, building …)
It announces clearly no "social VAT" – renamed "VAT antidélocalisation" to the UMP – hypothesis was raised in the procession of the tracks in the study. He implicitly endorsed the idea but has returned to the next presidential debate "in a few months."
However, companies should be tapped. Address the tax differential between multinationals and SMEs is a carrier. It is almost assumed that the new austerity plan will include a surcharge of corporate tax targeted at large enterprises.And, probably in December.
The plan will also focus on public spending – including spending on health. "We will continue to find savings on expenditures that make all the difference (…). The operating costs should continue to be better managed, "said Valérie Pécresse in the wake. The budget minister was keen to point out that the government had already made 45 billion effort two years ago, "half in reducing tax loopholes, the rest in spending."
Some ministers argue for cuts in spending this time represent half the effort (instead of one billion end of August, against 11 additional samples). Cleaving an option vis-à-vis the Socialist Party. But six months of the presidential, that is precisely what the government seeks.
ALSO READ:
"Sarkozy is opposed to a general rise in VAT
"Golden Rule: archaism accused of the left
"" A successful year for Nicolas Sarkozy "
"The French UMP prepares for a renewed effort
Filed under: business, economic, economy, events, features by admin Comments Off