French Prime Minister Michel Barnier Rules Out Tax Hike for Middle Class, Eyes Wealthy to Balance Budget

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier confirms he will not raise taxes on most taxpayers, focusing instead on the wealthiest to address budgetary concerns. Barnier supports limited changes to Macron's pension reforms and pledges practical measures on immigration. The new government aims to balance right-wing and centrist policies.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced on Sunday that he will not increase taxes on most French taxpayers, though the wealthiest will be asked to contribute more to narrow the budget deficit. President Emmanuel Macron's newly unveiled government seeks a balance between right-wing and centrist ideologies, hoping to break the political gridlock post a summer snap election.

One of the new government's immediate challenges will be to formulate a budget for 2025 amidst France's escalating budget deficit. "I'm not going to further increase taxes on all French people, neither on the most modest, nor on people who work, nor on the middle classes. But I cannot exclude the wealthiest from the national effort to rectify the situation," Barnier told France 2 television.

Barnier, who served as the European Union's chief negotiator during Brexit negotiations, expressed openness to revising Macron's pension reforms as long as they don't compromise the pension system's financial health. He emphasized considering the hardships faced by working mothers and invited input from both employers and unions. Additionally, Barnier promised pragmatic approaches to curb immigration, stressing the need for a European response and stricter domestic measures.