New People’s Front: What is the financial programme of the election winners in France

Changes in taxation, intervention in the labour market, strengthening industrial production, are among many others the axes that will be launched by the New People’s Front (NLM), the coalition that defeated them in, while all three key priorities are highlighted. The parliamentary elections that took place in order to highlight the next government of France, highlighted the formation of the Left as the first force, causing surprise to those who anticipated a victory by Marin Le Pen, while also giving rise to reflection on those who considered a more “destructive” development a New People’s Front victory compared to the far right. After all, Finance Minister Bruno Le Mer made sure to oppose the prospect of victory of the Left. But what does the NLM financial programme really stand for? As stated in the New People’s Front program marks a direct and clear break with the policy implemented since 2017. It is based on the needs, ecological planning and sharing of wealth while aiming at a strong and fair revitalization of economic activity. State action on enterprises and household incomes should make available the resources needed to develop quality employment, training and public services. In the New People’s Front program, the state is repositioned as a ‘player’ in the economy, gearing it to interventions in ecological planning, housing, industrial sovereignty and regional and spatial planning. To finance this reposition, the programme puts an end to non-productive tax exemptions for capital by targeting the over-rich and overprofits and restoring the progressive character of the state with its redistributive role. According to the program, 9 out of 10 French will be allowed to pay less taxes than 2025, focusing on consumption especially in times of economic recession. The reforms contained in the programme are expected to direct expenditure and reduce the cost of capital, through the reform of subsidies, workers’ rights, new tax system, social security contributions, public banking and financial centre etc. These interventions aim to finance themselves largely from the recovery of growth based mainly on tax reform and income policy, to respond to the social emergency situation, by developing public networks to address health, education, research, culture and sport problems. A central role in the economic programme of the Left is the strong increase in wages and the development of training. According to this, massive wage increases have an impact both on demand, increasing the purchasing power of workers, and on the economy as a whole. The New People’s Front programme commits itself to improving its work and meaning through decent jobs and decent wages, by increasing the minimum wage by 14% to 1,600 euros net while at the same time there will be assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises. Specifically: Advances with 0% for 1 or 2 years, from the public banking sector, for SMEs in difficult financial situations. Establishment of a solidarity fund for the development of IMIs to undertake their financial burdens A scheme of subsidised loans for SMEs that wish to be extended: Financing at 0% or even a negative interest rate for their investments, by reducing the interest rate as socially and environmentally useful as investment, Falling and temporary financial support measures for the small enterprises that need them. The NLM places particular emphasis on training. According to the announcements, training time will be strengthened, freely selected and financed by contributions. Training will no longer be sold on the market, but will be a right for all workers. In general, the New People’s Front programme is structured into three main priorities: 1. Action to improve purchasing power According to this priority, there will be an increase in wages, social benefits and low pensions leading to an increase in popular consumption, favouring business activity, which benefits from increasing demand and will be able to hire new staff. It also arises from public finances which benefit from the highest tax revenues. 2. An ecological partition for climate and life conservation The aim of the NLM is a deep transformation of production and consumption modes by laying the foundations on a long-term eco-design that will allow France to meet its commitments and protect biodiversity, adapting to the challenge of the consequences of climate change. To act the model change takes place with the working and middle classes and middle classes, and contributes to the movement and structure of a broad range of economic sectors of railway, energy, construction and renovation, agriculture, agroindustry, etc. 3. Improvement and development of public services By denouncing the “collapse” of public services, the new grassroots front aspires to restore human and economic resources in line with the work done by civil servants and the needs of society, so that everyone can benefit from basic public services – such as schools, transport, hospitals, nursery, nursing homes, nursing homes, etc. – within 30 minutes of their home.