Former Economy Minister Opposes Proposed Tax Increases for 2026 Budget

Antoine Armand, a former Minister of Economy, publicly opposed potential tax increases suggested for France's 2026 budget amid rising concerns about the country’s public debt. His comments come after a revealing report by the Cour des comptes, which indicated significant deterioration in France's budgetary situation for 2024. The report emphasized that the government has been unable to control spending dynamics, leading to an alarming fiscal outlook. Armand criticized the notion of higher taxes, stating, "France cannot be both the highest-taxing country in Europe and maintain the highest level of public spending in the EU." He highlighted the country’s precarious financial position, drawing comparisons with Italy and mentioning that France has one of the highest debts in its history. Additionally, he pointed out that countries like Germany are making strategic investments while carrying much lower debt levels. Armand argued for fiscal flexibility and called for investments in ecological initiatives and clean industry. His remarks directly addressed Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet's earlier suggestion that tax increases cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, Laurent Wauquiez, the head of the Republican Right, expressed a preference for budgetary measures focused on cuts rather than tax hikes, indicating a broader opposition across political lines against increasing taxes as a response to France's fiscal challenges.