Roland Lescure Defends 2027 Budget's Business Financial Effort Amidst Employer Group Criticism

French Economy Minister Roland Lescure has reaffirmed the government's estimate of a 10 billion euro financial effort required from businesses under the proposed 2027 budget, sharply contrasting with the employer federation Medef’s claim that the burden is nearly 20 billion euros. Speaking in an interview with La Tribune dimanche, Lescure emphasized that the government's figure accounts for a reduction in the corporate surtax from 7.3 billion euros to 5 billion euros and includes contributions from large maritime freight companies.

Medef has expressed strong opposition to the budget, describing it as a "multiplication of taxes" targeting diverse sectors such as highways, sugary processed products, maritime transport, car insurance, and health insurance supplements. The organization criticized measures including the freeze on employer contribution reductions and the expansion of their base to include salary supplements, which amount to 6.6 billion euros. They argue these increased levies could weaken the economy and hinder business activities.

Despite this, Lescure highlighted positive aspects for large companies benefitting from the surtax reduction and recent support measures, like the extension of the 100 euro aid for heavy fuel users, which had received 2.3 million requests by the end of September. Addressing concerns about France’s growth prospects, forecasted at 1% for 2027 and deemed optimistic by the Public Finance Council, Lescure noted that French growth over the past three years has been double that of Germany. He stressed the importance of reassuring households to encourage consumption and investment, signaling confidence in the government's financial strategy.

The debate illustrates the tension between government fiscal objectives and business sector apprehensions as France prepares for the 2027 budget adoption process in Parliament, where Lescure remains confident in securing approval of the proposed financial framework.