The two opposition candidates for chairing the French National Assembly’s influential finance commission are facing their last sprint before the vote on Thursday (30 June). EURACTIV France spoke to both to find out how much their different political programmes would shape their agenda.
Find the interview with Eric Coquerel (in French) here. The interview with Jean-Philippe Tanguy (in French) is here.
Eric Coquerel (left-wing NUPES coalition) and Jean-Philippe Tanguy (Rassemblement National) both said the finance commission chair should be theirs, stressing that it is traditionally held by the first opposition party in the Assembly.
Tanguy insisted that the RN is the first opposition parliamentary group with 89 seats – so the presidency must be theirs. “NUPES is a mere electoral coalition. They want to maximise their advantages before the coalition breaks down”.
Tanguy made clear he would not bring his own politics to bear. “The role of the president is institutional; I am there to ensure debates run smoothly. I do not intend to politicise debates”.
Coquerel, however, took a much more political approach: “I will be a real opposition to the government’s neoliberal agenda”.
He said there is no world in which the RN can preside over the Commission, or even be considered a decent party to work with: “In spite of Marine Le Pen toning down her narrative, the RN remains an extreme right party and must be considered as such”.
Fiscal secrecy
The finance commission president holds extensive oversight powers over the country’s public budgeting, as annual budget bills must be approved by the commission. Most importantly, they have access to all Treasury documents, including details of corporate fiscal secrets.
Tanguy wants first and foremost to ensure the government is transparent in the economic information it gives to the public.
“Gaining access to Treasury documents will help me understand the [economic] situation and know the truth”, he argued. “But I do not intend to share any information with the press,” he stressed, hinting that Coquerel would do just that.
Coquerel dismissed entirely such speculation: “I don’t intend to start a witch-hunt, I will respect fiscal secrecy”. However, he specified he plans to use the post to actively “combat tax evasion”, which will be at the heart of his efforts.
Purchasing power bill
As for the ‘purchasing power’ bill the government said it would table over the summer, the two candidates take a radically different approach.
Tanguy said he would remain neutral as president although, as an MP, he “would like the government to take a step towards the RN’s proposal to reduce VAT on fuel”. The measure was proven to go against EU treaties when first raised by Marine Le Pen during the presidential elections.
Coquerel told EURACTIV he would be more proactive, as NUPES is set to table a parallel ‘social emergency’ bill this week, which would see the minimum wage go up to 1,500 euros per month and a freeze imposed on rent and energy prices, among other things.
“We will reintroduce a wealth tax and create an exceptional tax on crisis-profiteering firms”. As for the rest, “we are not in favour of going back to the 3% deficit rule [as stipulated in the Maastricht Treaty] so will be ready to increase state spending”.
As things stand, the NUPES holds a majority of votes in the Commission – so Coquerel is almost certain to win.
The RN is, however, pushing to get their candidate’s voice heard, and seems ready to negotiate with the right-wing Les Républicains. “All parties should be ready to negotiate the distribution of key roles in the National Assembly. Only the NUPES is refusing to cooperate on anything”.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
Source: euractiv.com
