Before 49-3, the deputies rule out a return from the ISF

Wealth tax (ISF) will not be part of the current budget arbitrations at Matignon. On Monday, a common front ranging from the three macronie groups, through the deputies of LR and those of the RN, ruled out a return to this social justice measure, abolished in 2017, in a tense climate linked to the application to come from article 49-3 of the Constitution by the executive, deprived of an absolute majority. “The ISF does not work. If in 1981 this had reduced unemployment, we would know, assures Jean-René Cazeneuve, general rapporteur (Renaissance) of the Finance Committee. It is a French exception, at the risk of scaring away capital, on which countries like Denmark and Germany have come back”.

No less than 7 amendments from the various Nupes groups aimed at his return, with a climate component, have been tabled, in the face of a macronie braced on his liberal dogmas. “Since 2017, the wealth of the 500 biggest fortunes has more than doubled, while we have 10 million poor people in our country. Let’s find together a better tax justice at the risk if not to have great social movements « asserts the PCF deputy Nicolas Sansu. “The suppression of the ISF is a marker of injustice, says the rebellious François Ruffin, because in the “at the same time”, you also eliminate subsidized jobs and 5 euros in APL intended for the poorest ”. The Minister of Public Accounts, Gabriel Attal, retorted that, despite the transformation of the ISF into taxes on real estate wealth (IFI), “The share of levies on the capital of households and companies remains higher than in other European countries. »

Not enough to convince Éric Coquerel (FI), the chairman of the Finance Committee who replies: “Why is this reciprocity only in one direction? Italy, Germany, Spain and England have taxed superprofits. Why do you reject the Mattei amendment? » From the name of the president of the Modem group in the Assembly, at the origin of the provision which aims at a higher taxation of “super dividends”. This one, however adopted by the deputies, will fall by the wayside, after the government arbitrations, with a view to 49-3.

Earlier today, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire called the measure a « deeply unfair »because it would not apply « only to French companies, as always and not to foreign companies ». “We are the majority who lower taxes”, slice, in echo, Sylvain Maillard, a heavyweight of the Renaissance group, room of the Four-columns. In the morning, Élisabeth Borne had brought together the leaders of the majority groups in Matignon to record the amendments which will be retained in the 2023 Finance Bill. Those of the Modem aimed at “to reduce the taxation of small businesses”, and of the socialist Valérie Rabault, lowering the VAT to 5.5% on the masks should be retained, according to Bruno Le Maire. The avowed objective of its arbitrations is to contain the public deficit, below 5% of GDP, in 2023. But without creating a new recipe. Moreover, the return of « exit tax »should not appear in the version that will be presented during the application of article 49-3, which could take place on Wednesday.

With this in mind, Elisabeth Borne also consulted the presidents of opposition groups. “It is not up to us to say which amendments voted by this Sovereign Assembly should be retained, retorts the socialist Boris Vallaud, consulted just like the president of the GDR group, André Chassaigne. We want the debate to go to the end of the parliamentary discussion. It is up to you to find the majority to vote the budget. »

Because on Monday, at the Palais Bourbon, the debate on the reintroduction of the ISF took place after a succession of 20 points of order and 25 minutes of interruption of the session, after the confession, Sunday evening, by the Prime Minister, of wanting twist the arm of deputies. “The only deadline we have is December 31, 2022. We can work until then,” measures Nicolas Sansu. “There is a certain disappointment because for 8 days we have worked well. The debates to come are a masquerade, notes Véronique Louwagie (LR), the distilled announcements and the unspoken give a certain bitterness. » A forceful passage strategy that could have its limits. “This government reminds me of a 110m hurdles runner, who has already crashed into the front row, but who continues to charge forward, says Éric Coquerel . In the end, it will end with the adoption of a motion of no confidence. » Several are already planned from the application of 49-3.