Let their own responsibility in the Commons

The situation of debt of the France, to be of concern, has nothing to do with the Greece. But it is now an obstacle to confidence and a brake on growth. It is also a threat to democracy because of the severe constraints that we transmit to future generations. Very short term, the interest of the public debt loads will become the first budget of the State, which reduces our freedom of movement and choice policy. Debt service is done at the expense of the provision of public services.

We are some distance from the area of vulnerability that our debt is unsustainable. There is no drama to fear in the short term and therefore no hope of an immediate and vigorous debt reduction action. Uncertain economic conditions, the fragility of the recovery also require caution. But this caution is acceptable by the markets, and responsible to the citizens, only accompanied by a strong, clear and courageous strategy for the medium and long term.

The pension reform is a test of the ability of the France to no longer live within its means. The requirement is not restore all balances in two years, but set a perspective in time. The issue is not today quick tinkering but scale reform enrols over several decades. This reform will be accepted and scope by the French as if they are fully associated to its definition and its implementation. We propose to initiate immediately after the regional elections a great public debate throughout the country on the future of pensions. The follow-up of the reform should also involve the greatest number.

How to reduce the debt of the State Raise taxes This is not our political choice. Sell public assets Certainly, as soon as stock market prices will help and we have defined the industrial strategies of accompaniment. Hope for growth The most probable is that it is soft, too soft; should there be more trust. Trust is necessary for debt reduction, debt reduction is necessary for confidence. How break the current vicious circle to achieve a virtuous logic This contract is that of the tax reform and should enter into a contract with the French. We do not want to raise taxes, it must be collective pressure to modernization of the State and control of expenditures. It must be that all the French feel concerned, so that they pay the direct tax. This painful tax teaches the virtue. The income tax is less than a French two. The Committee of taxation reform and modernity club which I Chair, we designed the outlines of an ambitious reform. Operate the merger of the tax with the generalized social contribution (CSG) in a new tax on almost all of the French! Should of course ensure transfers for the benefit of social security. It will also not to aggravate the progressivity of the tax. It can reduce the weight of tax niches which are, in part, a response to the excessive concentration of the income tax, a cure to make it acceptable. By preserving the tax (the essential role of the family quotient) familialisation, it may finally be the opportunity to move to the levy at source while now the annual declaratory Act, when information and responsibility.

Especially, this reform (fusion tax revenue-CSG, reduction of tax niches, levy at source) will make all the French players in the expenditure of its funding and thus of the debt. Should be avoided to load the reform with the false trail proposed by François Hollande of a merger with the housing tax. Let their own responsibility in the Commons.

Might usefully guide the reform by a constitutional rule of balance of the Finance Act. The proposals of the Economist Jacques Delpla a rapid depreciation of any budget deficit are compelling. They are accompanied by a call to an objective definition of fiscal balances, essential, both the current divergences between the Government and the Court of Auditors are unwelcome. Members of Parliament, the citizens have the right to know the figures and their definition. The Greece is taken to the set of statistical amenities! This constitutional reform may be that in effect in the end of the Decade, but, announced today, it crowns a coherent medium-term strategy.

Reform of pensions, reform tax, balance rule are reforms to share with all the French to restore confidence, to stimulate growth. Talleyrand said that "financial do well their affairs only when the State the hurt." Too bad for the financial and both better if it comes back to the political - and the people - the possibility, the responsibility to choose rather than suffer.