PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron lauded a controversial budget for next year put forward by Prime Minister François Bayrou as a courageous step toward righting the country’s finances.
Government spokesperson Sophie Primas told reporters Wednesday that during the weekly Cabinet meeting, Macron told Bayrou and other government ministers that the plans unveiled Tuesday — which include getting rid of two public holidays, slashing thousands of public service jobs and axing €5 billion in health care spending — had “the virtue of courage, audacity and lucidity.”
Primas said Macron appreciated the fact that the budget plan prioritized economic growth, a possible reference to the fact that the proposal did not include tax hikes. The prime minister did, however, say the government would be asking for one-time “solidarity contribution” from high earners.
Macron had reportedly been frustrated with his prime minister’s cautious approach to governance since his nomination in December. While Macron is constantly pushing for new ideas and taking major risks that don’t always pay off, Bayrou has appeared to avoid making decisions that would put him in serious political danger.
But the budget Bayrou and his ministers presented was marked by a €43.8 billion squeeze designed to bring down France’s €3.3 trillion public debt and rein in its budget deficit while boosting France’s defense spending.
Opposition parties have already come out strongly against the proposal and have threatened to topple the government when lawmakers return from their summer break, though many are signaling a willingness to negotiate.
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