On Saturday, the deputies approved the exceptional contribution to maritime transport companies desired by the Government, perpetuating it against their advice and also deciding to limit the tax niche from which this sector benefits to 500 million euros. One of the articles of the finance bill for 2025 plans to establish an “exceptional tax” on large maritime transport companies, which should contribute 500 million euros next year and 300 the following year, supported by the giant of the sector, the French shipowner CMA. CGM (owner of BFMTV and BFM Business).
But the deputies approved an amendment by the environmentalist deputy Eva Sas that perpetuates this contribution beyond these two budget years. The Minister of Budget, Laurent Saint-Martin, spoke out against this modification, emphasizing that the activity of maritime transport is a “cyclical activity” and that it would be a “mistake” to “freeze in the taxation of this sector of activity a kind of permanent taxation”. ” since “this exceptional result can vary very significantly downwards.”
A measure of this type would have contributed 9 billion euros between 2022 and 2024.
The deputies also approved an amendment by the socialist Philippe Brun, also against the opinion of the Government, which plans to limit the fiscal gap of the tonnage tax to 500 million euros. “If this system had been implemented from 2022, it would have made it possible at the same time to guarantee the global competitiveness of the French group and contribute nine billion euros to the State during the period 2022-2024,” the presentation explains. for the amendment. The amendment was voted by the National Rally and the left, with the seats of the “common base” that supports the government being once again very empty.
The head of CMA CGM, Rodolphe Saadé, declared himself willing on Tuesday in an interview to contribute to the collective effort “to restore public finances” in the country, as long as it is “limited and fair”, stating that he is “concerned.” ”about the “overcoming” of the National Assembly. The modifications introduced in the Government copy by the deputies could be corrected after the shuttle, or in case of approval of the budget through article 49.3 of the Constitution, the Government maintaining in this case the modifications of its choice.
The Assembly examines the state budget for 2025 for the sixth consecutive day. If deputies do not manage to eliminate the approximately 1,900 amendments that remain to be examined by midnight, debates will resume on November 5. Unless the Government shortens the discussions by activating article 49.3.
Source: BFM TV