France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Tuesday promised new taxes and spending cuts to reduce a “colossal” debt, in a policy speech that was received harshly by lawmakers who could topple his government at any time.
Barnier, a right-wing former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed by centrist President Emmanuel Macron to bring some stability after the political chaos created by a hung parliament following snap elections this summer.
But furious bickering over his first major policy speech, especially from the left, was a reminder that his loose coalition members of conservatives and centrists are outnumbered by the NFP alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN).
If both joined forces, they could oust Barnier in a vote of confidence.
There will be plenty of opportunities to topple the government in the coming months as ministers struggle to pass a 2025 budget through parliament before the end of the year.
He said the government aims to reduce the deficit to five percent of GDP by 2025, “on track” to reach the European Union limit in 2029 – two years later than previously planned.
He called France’s “colossal” debts of more than 3.2 trillion euros ($3.5 trillion) – more than 110 percent of GDP – “the true sword of Damocles… hanging over the head of France and every Frenchman ‘.
He said two-thirds of the deficit reduction would come from cutting spending from the current 57 percent of GDP – well above the European average of 49 percent.
But while France has “one of the highest taxes in the world,” there would be “a time-limited effort that needs to be shared, with an emphasis on tax justice” or fair sharing of the burden, Barnier added.
Highly profitable big companies and wealthy individuals should both be called upon to pay more, he said.
– Red lines –
Barnier tried to throw some bones to the left.
He proclaimed “a second sword of Damocles that is equally terrible: the environmental debt we leave as an inheritance to our children.”
France would rely on both its traditional strength in nuclear energy and renewable energy sources to reduce CO2 emissions, he said.
Barnier opened the door to amending last year’s hugely unpopular pension reform, which raised the retirement age.
And in a list of red lines, he promised “zero tolerance for racism and anti-Semitism” and protection for “the freedoms won over the years”, including on abortion, gay marriage and in vitro fertilization.
Some opponents and observers have feared for migrant rights and sexual and reproductive freedoms under a largely conservative government tolerated by the RN.
Barnier’s pledges to far-right voters include greater “safety in everyday life”, where “the public will be reassured by the presence of law enforcement”.
He added that “France will continue to reintroduce controls at its own borders for as long as necessary, as allowed under European rules and as Germany has just done.”
In talks with major countries of origin over irregular migration, France could threaten to reduce the number of visas issued for legal travel, Barnier warned.
His comments on immigration follow the rape and murder of a 19-year-old Parisian student, with a Moroccan man facing deportation named as the suspected attacker.
MPs observed a minute’s silence for the victim, named Philippine, as the parliamentary session began.
– Eyes on top job –
The NFP – an alliance of France’s far-left Unbent, Communists, Socialists and Greens – is expected to table a vote of no confidence against the Barnier government in the coming days.
But for now, the RN is biding its time and betting on a strategy to appear responsible to voters instead of causing more political chaos.
Eyes on the political stage are already focused on 2027, when new presidential elections must be held in which Macron cannot run again due to term limits.
RN chief Marine Le Pen hopes her fourth presidential bid will take her to the Elysee Palace after record scores in this year’s European and parliamentary elections.
The party is now the largest entity in the National Assembly (lower house of parliament), while it is far from a majority in the 577-seat chamber.
The shift to the right in French politics is part of a general trend in Europe, with Austria’s far-right Freedom Party also coming out on top in national elections on Sunday.
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