The Medef denounces "the narrow vision of budgets"

"We are paying close attention to any threats to the Dutreil Pact - which facilitates family business transfers through a 75% tax break - or which could lead to the reintroduction of a form of wealth tax," warned Mr. Martin.

He criticized "the narrow vision of our budgeters on these issues, because they are imprisoned in the rule of annuality, which leads them in an almost unhealthy way to pick everyone's pockets", but it is "a short-term calculation which will quickly cost (the public finances) fewer jobs, less VAT, less corporate tax".

The Business Council is a tool for "co-construction" between the Ministry of Finance and employers, in line with the maximum consultation with public figures that François Bayrou has observed since his arrival at Matignon.

Following the first edition on April 14, it will bring together business leaders around the Minister of Economy and Finance Eric Lombard, the Minister of Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin and the Minister of SMEs Véronique Louwagie.

Mr. Martin was speaking, partly in front of Ms. Louwagie, who was applauded for expressing her own support for the Dutreil Pact, at a Meeting of French Entrepreneurs (REF) organized by the Medef on the theme of business transfers.

He noted that a quarter of business leaders are over 60 years old and that "half of the transfers are not prepared," due, "sometimes, to a form of denial" by the business leader.

The head of the Medef (French employers' association) himself represents "the seventh generation" at the head of his company, Martin Belaysoud, and "the eighth - his daughter - is in the room," he rejoiced.

"Let us have as much support as necessary in all areas - fiscal, managerial, family - because this is an absolutely significant issue for the country, our businesses, our employees and our regions," he said.

In 2024, there were 37.000 business transfers and takeovers, Ms. Louwagie said.

She noted that "the three-year lifespan of transferred businesses is greater than the lifespan of a new business," a reason, she said, to encourage good transfer conditions.