The ministers at Bercy offer relieved wishes to economic players

"The good news is that we have not cancelled this New Year's ceremony," joked Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure, alluding to the two motions of censure against the government rejected on Friday in the National Assembly, which paves the way for the final adoption of the budget next week.

Mr. Lescure saw in this "not perfect" but "compromise" budget "undoubtedly the sign of the beginning of an evolution in our political culture".

Faced with "a world order that risks tipping over", he spoke of a "fight" for France and the place of Europe that is underway, "and to win it we will not hesitate to use all the weapons at our disposal", he affirmed.

As France holds the G7 presidency this year, he believes that this group "must remain a place for frank and sincere dialogue", even if "it is not easy every day".

He indicated that he wanted to use 2026 to continue "building our industrial power", by "prioritizing European preference and local content" and by "protecting companies from unfair competition".

"We will put an end to the Wild West" by imposing French and European trade rules, he asserted.

Referring to the need for private financing of the economy, he estimated "that we will not escape a debate on pension funds" to finance it, a debate "for 2027", according to him.

For her part, Ms. de Montchalin thanked the companies, the largest of which are bitter about having to bear the burden in 2026 of a follow-up to the corporate tax surcharge, amounting to 7,3 billion euros.

"I hear the frustration," she said, while recalling the supply-side policy put in place since 2022 to their benefit.

"Let us refuse to accept a divorce between the political class and the economic world, because if our two spheres cease to speak to each other, we will plunge into an unknown with a country that will weaken," she declared, also asking them "not to become activists, but to participate fully in public debates, to bring the reality" of their daily lives.

The Minister for SMEs, Trade and Purchasing Power, Serge Papin, intends to finally adopt in 2026 a strategy of "defending and transgressing".

Having launched a campaign against low-price platforms, such as the Chinese company Shein, he reiterated the need to "twist the arm of foreign platforms," ​​emphasizing with a smile that he was "a little more measured" on Friday than on Wednesday, when, during the CPME's New Year's greetings, he had judged that it was necessary to "punch the Chinese in the face."

"To transgress," he added, "is to recognize that what will be is not automatically a continuation of what was." He advocated for "accessible 'Made in France'": "It's possible, there's a reconquest to be made," he asserted.