Rise in poverty: the executive responds with support for employment and businesses

Left-wing MPs urged the government to make the richest contribute more following the publication of the INSEE's annual poverty indicator, which showed a poverty rate of 15,4% - a level not seen in at least 30 years - affecting nearly 10 million people.

They notably advocated for the "Zucman tax," which establishes a minimum tax on the wealth of the richest 0,01% of taxpayers in France, in order to ensure that they pay at least 2% of their wealth in tax, and also for a reorientation of aid to businesses.

"We believe in two things (...) work" but "also in business," replied Minister of Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin during the government's question session at the National Assembly. "We don't think that making the 1.800 successful entrepreneurs who create jobs in this country leave will solve anything."

"The CAC 40 today represents 1,2 million jobs in France, the 6.000 most successful ETIs (mid-sized companies, editor's note) in France represent 4 million jobs, and these are the jobs we must develop," she added. "Yes, we want a strong social system, and for that, we want strong businesses and an efficient tax system. I don't hesitate in the face of fraud, and ours won't hesitate if we need to take legislative measures to more effectively combat tax over-optimization."

"The first response to the challenge of poverty is work, it is supporting our businesses," added the Minister of Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard, a few minutes later, deeming it impossible to respond to poverty by "weakening businesses and our economic fabric."

For her part, Minister of Labor and Solidarity Catherine Vautrin highlighted the "additional 10 million in food aid in the 2025 budget" and the 2024% increase in social security benefits in April 4,6 - an increase "not taken into account" in the INSEE figures for 2023.