This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21973862
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
French criticise 'DIY' President Hollande over economy | French criticise 'DIY' President Hollande over economy |
(35 minutes later) | |
French President Francois Hollande has been labelled a "do-it-yourself man" by critics after he tried to assure the nation that "all the tools are on the table" to fix the ailing economy. | French President Francois Hollande has been labelled a "do-it-yourself man" by critics after he tried to assure the nation that "all the tools are on the table" to fix the ailing economy. |
The leftist newspapers Liberation and L'Humanite joined a chorus of criticism after Mr Hollande's TV interview. | The leftist newspapers Liberation and L'Humanite joined a chorus of criticism after Mr Hollande's TV interview. |
The socialist president said firms would be subject to a 75% payroll tax on salaries above 1m euros (£845,000). | The socialist president said firms would be subject to a 75% payroll tax on salaries above 1m euros (£845,000). |
An attempt to impose the 75% rate on rich individuals was blocked earlier. | An attempt to impose the 75% rate on rich individuals was blocked earlier. |
In December France's constitutional council struck down the new 75% tax rate introduced by Mr Hollande. The objection was that the tax applied to individuals rather than households. | In December France's constitutional council struck down the new 75% tax rate introduced by Mr Hollande. The objection was that the tax applied to individuals rather than households. |
Film star Gerard Depardieu, no longer living in France, is among a number of prominent figures who have condemned the tax. Some football clubs have warned that France may fail to attract top talent, if players can earn higher salaries elsewhere. | Film star Gerard Depardieu, no longer living in France, is among a number of prominent figures who have condemned the tax. Some football clubs have warned that France may fail to attract top talent, if players can earn higher salaries elsewhere. |
'Tax on behaviour' | 'Tax on behaviour' |
The head of France's main business lobby group Medef, Laurence Parisot, condemned Mr Hollande's new announcement on the 75% rate, saying it was an "anti-business signal" and a "do-it-yourself" policy. | The head of France's main business lobby group Medef, Laurence Parisot, condemned Mr Hollande's new announcement on the 75% rate, saying it was an "anti-business signal" and a "do-it-yourself" policy. |
She told France Info radio she did not understand's Mr Hollande's "philosophical principle", adding that his switch from taxing rich individuals to taxing firms was "quite strange". | |
"What will happen with the richest French who don't work in companies - artists, people in independent professions?" | "What will happen with the richest French who don't work in companies - artists, people in independent professions?" |
Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici defended the president, saying it was "a tax on behaviour" aimed at changing companies' pay awards. | |
Mr Hollande himself said that at a time when ordinary workers were struggling, high earners could "make this effort for two years". | Mr Hollande himself said that at a time when ordinary workers were struggling, high earners could "make this effort for two years". |
Mr Hollande, elected last May, has seen his opinion ratings slump this year as the economy remains stagnant and the unemployment rate has risen to 10.6%. | Mr Hollande, elected last May, has seen his opinion ratings slump this year as the economy remains stagnant and the unemployment rate has risen to 10.6%. |
He vowed to bring the budget deficit down to 3% from its current 4.5%, but that target will be missed. | He vowed to bring the budget deficit down to 3% from its current 4.5%, but that target will be missed. |
An editorial in Liberation on Friday said Mr Hollande's interview on France 2 television had disappointed "the many who wanted more than a puff - but rather a blast of anger" over economic hardship and the distress felt by society's most vulnerable people. | An editorial in Liberation on Friday said Mr Hollande's interview on France 2 television had disappointed "the many who wanted more than a puff - but rather a blast of anger" over economic hardship and the distress felt by society's most vulnerable people. |
Mr Hollande's performance was "often bland, almost banal", the editorial by Eric Decouty said. | Mr Hollande's performance was "often bland, almost banal", the editorial by Eric Decouty said. |
Meanwhile L'Humanite commented that Mr Hollande "did not indicate the slightest flexibility in his political course" despite strong disapproval among left-wing voters. | Meanwhile L'Humanite commented that Mr Hollande "did not indicate the slightest flexibility in his political course" despite strong disapproval among left-wing voters. |
Previous version
1
Next version