While deputies examine the draft budget in the National Assembly, Laurent Wauquiez stated that he did not want to “blackmail the censorship”, running the risk of further delaying the adoption of a budget for 2026.
“It makes no sense, it is not responsible to say that. We do not overthrow a government lightly. We do not censor lightly, we do not blackmail the censorship,” insisted the head of the deputies of Les Républicains on RTL.
“We try to fight to defend our ideas and our convictions (…) and in the end we will see and judge whether there are more advantages or disadvantages in the budget,” he agreed.
A race against time has begun in the chamber to examine the government’s finance bill (PLF) in a climate of exacerbated political antagonism and tight deadlines.
Republicans have already warned that they oppose new tax increases, considering that savings should be made exclusively through spending cuts.
“Our line is very simple: against any tax increase to save costs,” insisted the former president of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, adding that his party will fight “to correct” the budget.
The Zucman tax, “a hoax”
If the Republicans are determined not to overthrow the Government, the leaders of the Socialist Party (PS) have been threatening for several days with a motion of censure if the Zucman tax is not approved, while the socialists are also considering a lighter version.
“Are they in on this blackmail? Are they in on this hostage taking?” criticized Laurent Wauquiez, calling the measure a “deception” and a “farce.”
“We make the French believe that there is a magic solution that consists of taxing the richest and, in the meantime, we don’t talk about everything else,” defended Laurent Wauquiez.
“In this budget, Zucman’s electricity tax amounts to between 5 and 7 billion euros. (savings, editor’s note). There are 10 billion euros in increases and taxes planned for everyone, the middle classes,” he continued.
Firmly opposed to the imposition of taxes on the richest, the LR leader recalled that his party will vote against the measure, thus placing the PS “before its responsibility.” “I’m not in a party, I’m just trying to protect the French against a socialist budget of tax increases. Will I succeed? I don’t know, but in any case, I’m putting all my energy into it,” said Laurent Wauquiez.
Source: BFM TV
