Summary
As the sun began to set over Bercy, Bruno Le Maire stood at the helm, a lighthouse in turbulent waters, delivering his farewell address. With a gleam of determination in his eye, he reiterated his long-held mantra: “France must not go backward.” The air bristled with the weight of his words, as he firmly opposed any forthcoming tax increases that could threaten the economic foundations he had worked to build since 2017. After nearly a decade of political service—his journey weaving through the realms of foreign affairs and agriculture, and culminating in his stewardship of the economy—Le Maire’s departure signals a pivotal moment. Uncertainty looms like a dark cloud over France’s fiscal policies, especially with his successor yet to be announced. With hundreds of spectators gathered, le Maire used his final moments in office not just as a goodbye, but as a clarion call for stability in a country known for its high tax burdens. Clutching the narrative of a nation grappling with fiscal pressures yet yearning for growth, he pointed to the 55 billion euros of tax relief granted since 2017, emphasizing that notwithstanding these efforts, France still battles one of the highest tax levels among developed nations. His voice resonated like a drumbeat against murmurs from the left calling for tax hikes to patch public finances. “Let’s not yield to this simplistic solution,” he cautioned. This resolve found an unexpected ally in the National Rally, signaling a rare moment of unity among political adversaries against increased taxation. Le Maire passionately recalled his initial calls in 2017 for a dual strategy of reducing public expenditure while lowering taxes, daring to dream of a France reborn through job creation and economic growth. “In the face of tax instability, we chose a path of fiscal steadiness,” he proclaimed, highlighting what he perceived as a monumental transformation of the French economy. Yet, as Le Maire reflected on the precarious state of France’s finances, his tone shifted—tinged with both sorrow and urgency. Irony slipped into his remarks as he noted the isolation his firm stance had wrought, humorously acknowledging that adopting a softer approach could lead to dire financial consequences for his successor. “Blind dreamers have promised miraculous solutions that could push our already substantial debt into uncharted territories,” he warned passionately, painting a vivid picture of a nation caught in an eternal tug-of-war between fiscal prudence and the allure of unchecked spending. Citing the strides made in job creation and reindustrialization, he insisted that the long, stable journey was the bedrock that reassured entrepreneurs. “Long-term vision is a strength, a virtue—one that keeps the pulse of the economy steady amidst the noise,” Le Maire urged, his conviction palpable as he beckoned for swift, robust action in the face of mounting competition from the United States. Now, as he prepares to pivot from politics to academia, embarking on a new chapter in Switzerland, Le Maire carries with him the echoes of his previous life, pondering whether this change represents a full stop or merely a comma in the ongoing narrative of his career. With a heart full of affection for his compatriots and a final salute to his colleagues, he quipped playfully, reminiscent of the words of Michel Sardou, “I love you, but I’m leaving.” In that moment, Bercy wasn’t just an office; it was the stage of a performance that could breathe fresh life into the uncharted chapters ahead.
Original Source: www.lefigaro.fr
