This Friday night, the rating agency S&P Global could downgrade France’s rating. This potential downgrade would likely have no immediate consequences. France would remain among the countries considered reliable by the institutions that lend money to the States. But such a decision would put the Achilles heel of the French economy a little more in front of the stage: the level of its debt close to 3000 billion euros.
The vast majority of the French are aware of this. According to a survey carried out by the Elabe Institute, the level of public debt worries 71% of its inhabitants of voting age. The French also agree with the diagnosis of the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, when he says that it is urgent to reduce the level of this debt.
What solutions to reduce debt?
Three out of four French people (76%) share this diagnosis. On the other hand, regarding the solutions, no consensus is emerging. When we list several possibilities to reduce debt, one answer comes to mind: the establishment of an “exceptional contribution” from the wealthiest. It is cited first by 34% of respondents. But the option of reducing spending via reforms is not far behind (30%).
As expected, it is the most modest assets (workers and employees) who would prefer to reduce debt by taxing the rich. Among executives and the intellectual professions, the vast majority favors reducing expenses. While older people and retirees defend the path of economic growth as a priority, the advantage of which is that it automatically generates more income from taxes, fees and social security contributions and allows for a reduction in public spending, the high level of job creation that allows the The share of GDP dedicated to financial support for the unemployed will be reduced.
Supporters of Emmanuel Macron and the PS in the same field
The different points of view are also very political. According to their partisan preferences, the French do not defend the same solutions. They are divided into three camps. The first, supporters of an exceptional contribution from the richest, brings together supporters of France Insoumise, those of the National Rally but also those of Europe Ecologie-Les Verts.
In the second – the followers of growth – the French who appreciate Emmanuel Macron and the supporters of the socialist party cohabit. While among those who place the drop in spending in the lead are mainly the French who have remained faithful to LR and those who prefer the Reconquest, Eric Zemmour’s party.
Source: BFM TV
