“We don't know what he wants to do”: the tax increase envisaged by Michel Barnier is not going down well with Macronists

The possibility of tax increases announced this Tuesday, September 17, is causing tension within the Macronist group. Gabriel Attal has asked for a clarification of the “political line” to determine his party's “participation” in the Barnier government.

The hypothesis of a tax increase desired by Michel Barnier was invited this Tuesday, September 17, during a heated meeting within the group of Macronist deputies, according to several participants, the Prime Minister's entourage stalling on this inflammatory subject.

“The meeting” of the elected representatives of the Ensemble pour la République group “was confusing because there are deputies who are questioning the Barnier method”, indicated a MP present. According to another, “the atmosphere was not very good”, with “some rather hostile speeches towards Michel Barnier, asking: basically, what is he going to do ?". Among the reasons for tension is the possibility of a tax increase, not to mention the public policies implemented, mentioned in front of his peers by Gérald Darmanin.

According to the resigning Minister of the Interior, Michel Barnier, pointing out the situation of public finances, raised this hypothesis of an increase on several occasions, including in front of him, without however specifying his intentions. A perspective that would merit a prior discussion for Darmanin, who does not want us to touch the country's attractiveness policy and our tax reduction policy.

“We need to have a course”

Another recent interlocutor of Barnier confirms having heard the Prime Minister mention tax increases “on high incomes”. According to the entourage of Republican leaders Laurent Wauquiez and Bruno Retailleau, Barnier did not raise this idea in front of them during their discussions.

“The only thing the Prime Minister said was that he would not rule out moving towards greater tax justice”, Barnier's entourage downplayed on Tuesday, denouncing”hearsay”. From his first interview on TF1, Barnier had indeed estimated that “The French want and need justice” on taxes.

More generally, Macronist MPs were annoyed by the absence of a “political line” set by Mr. Barnier two weeks after his appointment, according to another participant. “We all want Michel Barnier to succeed, we are aware of our responsibility. We have committed not to censor him. Now we need to have a direction", he explains.

An Attal-Barnier meeting this Wednesday ?

"Basically we don't know what he wants to do and he doesn't want to talk about it with our group leader" Gabriel Attal, another EPR executive grumbles. According to concordant sources, Attal is having a “document” prepared, which could be sent “during the day” to list the “priorities” of the Macronists but also the subjects on which there would be a “freedom of vote” in relation to the government.