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Could this former trade minister be France’s most despised man? Could former trade minister Thomas Thévenoud be France’s most despised man?
(about 14 hours later)
In the space of a week, Thomas Thévenoud has leapt from near obscurity to seemingly become France’s most-despised man.In the space of a week, Thomas Thévenoud has leapt from near obscurity to seemingly become France’s most-despised man.
Mr Thévenoud, 40, was fired from his job as trade minister last week after only nine days – the shortest ministerial career for more than half a century. At a time of rising taxes and popular fury, it emerged that the Socialist politician had failed to declare his earnings for three years in a row.Mr Thévenoud, 40, was fired from his job as trade minister last week after only nine days – the shortest ministerial career for more than half a century. At a time of rising taxes and popular fury, it emerged that the Socialist politician had failed to declare his earnings for three years in a row.
On Tuesday it was reported that Mr Thévenoud had lived in a flat in the centre of Paris for three years without paying the rent. He had also failed to pay a number of fines and omitted to mention his interest in several companies in his official declaration of wealth.On Tuesday it was reported that Mr Thévenoud had lived in a flat in the centre of Paris for three years without paying the rent. He had also failed to pay a number of fines and omitted to mention his interest in several companies in his official declaration of wealth.
Mr Thévenoud – until recently vice-chairman of a parliamentary committee on tax fraud and a vehement critic of tax avoidance by multinationals – has been kicked out of the ruling Socialist Party. He is refusing, however, to resign his parliamentary seat despite pressure from the media, from colleagues and from an online petition which has gathered more than 130,000 signatures.Mr Thévenoud – until recently vice-chairman of a parliamentary committee on tax fraud and a vehement critic of tax avoidance by multinationals – has been kicked out of the ruling Socialist Party. He is refusing, however, to resign his parliamentary seat despite pressure from the media, from colleagues and from an online petition which has gathered more than 130,000 signatures.
Mr Thévenoud admits his record is “not brilliant” but he blames his administrative incompetence or “phobia for bureaucracy”. He says that he has now paid all the taxes and rent owed. “Let anyone who accuses me of self-enrichment reveal their own wealth,” he said. “It’s time to leave me in peace. Everything is being thrown in my face.”Mr Thévenoud admits his record is “not brilliant” but he blames his administrative incompetence or “phobia for bureaucracy”. He says that he has now paid all the taxes and rent owed. “Let anyone who accuses me of self-enrichment reveal their own wealth,” he said. “It’s time to leave me in peace. Everything is being thrown in my face.”
The Thévenoud saga could not have come at a worse time for President François Hollande and his Prime Minister, Manuel Valls. Mr Hollande’s popularity has slumped to an all-time record low of 13 per cent. Mr Valls will put his reformist government’s survival on the line next Tuesday in a parliamentary vote of confidence in which up to 60 Socialist deputies threaten to abstain.The Thévenoud saga could not have come at a worse time for President François Hollande and his Prime Minister, Manuel Valls. Mr Hollande’s popularity has slumped to an all-time record low of 13 per cent. Mr Valls will put his reformist government’s survival on the line next Tuesday in a parliamentary vote of confidence in which up to 60 Socialist deputies threaten to abstain.
Mr Thévenoud’s expulsion from the party has further reduced what may be a paper-thin government majority. The gulf between the ex-minister’s personal behaviour and his political views as a tax-and-spend enthusiast has reinforced the country’s deep cynicism about “establishment” politicians of both centre-left and centre-right.Mr Thévenoud’s expulsion from the party has further reduced what may be a paper-thin government majority. The gulf between the ex-minister’s personal behaviour and his political views as a tax-and-spend enthusiast has reinforced the country’s deep cynicism about “establishment” politicians of both centre-left and centre-right.
The fact that Mr Thévenoud was appointed trade minister also suggests muddle or incompetence in the Valls government. The Prime Minister ordered him to resign as soon as he discovered his irregular tax status but the information did not reach him until nine days after Mr Thévenoud was given his ministerial appointment.The fact that Mr Thévenoud was appointed trade minister also suggests muddle or incompetence in the Valls government. The Prime Minister ordered him to resign as soon as he discovered his irregular tax status but the information did not reach him until nine days after Mr Thévenoud was given his ministerial appointment.
The government’s difficulties continue to pile up. In an interview to be published today President Hollande will dismiss the suggestion made in the book published last week by his former romantic partner Valérie Trierweiler that he mocks the poor as “les sans dents” or the “toothless”.The government’s difficulties continue to pile up. In an interview to be published today President Hollande will dismiss the suggestion made in the book published last week by his former romantic partner Valérie Trierweiler that he mocks the poor as “les sans dents” or the “toothless”.
“In every job I have held, in every political position I have gained, my first thought has been to help and represent those who suffer,” he told the magazine Le Nouvel Observateur. Mr Hollande did not specifically deny using the phrase “sans dents” but implied that he never used it in a slighting or mocking way.“In every job I have held, in every political position I have gained, my first thought has been to help and represent those who suffer,” he told the magazine Le Nouvel Observateur. Mr Hollande did not specifically deny using the phrase “sans dents” but implied that he never used it in a slighting or mocking way.
In a further blow to the government’s credibility, the finance minister Michel Sapin admitted yesterday that the French economy was so becalmed that he would struggle to reduce last year’s 4.3 per cent budget deficit this year despite steep spending cuts. With growth now expected to reach only 0.4 per cent, the deficit looks like reaching 4.4 per cent, well above the 3.8 per cent eurozone target.In a further blow to the government’s credibility, the finance minister Michel Sapin admitted yesterday that the French economy was so becalmed that he would struggle to reduce last year’s 4.3 per cent budget deficit this year despite steep spending cuts. With growth now expected to reach only 0.4 per cent, the deficit looks like reaching 4.4 per cent, well above the 3.8 per cent eurozone target.
The government is to make further savings – in an area that Mr Hollande’s alleged “sans dents” jibe will make politically hazardous. In an attempt to reduce health costs, a free dental check-up service for all school children will be abolished. Only children in schools in the poorest areas will qualify.The government is to make further savings – in an area that Mr Hollande’s alleged “sans dents” jibe will make politically hazardous. In an attempt to reduce health costs, a free dental check-up service for all school children will be abolished. Only children in schools in the poorest areas will qualify.