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After honey, vinegar?

Brussels expects from Paris not just words and promises but real commitments

 

The Commission does not shave for free!

The European Commission has just given France two more years to bring its deficit below the sacrosanct 2% mark. Corn " it's not two years free “As confirmed to the Duck a spokesperson for the European executive. " Finding growth does not come by itself. It's not enough to jump like a kid while saying growth, growth, growth! Fundamental, structural reforms are needed. "

And, for the moment, the account is not there. " Reforms have been initiated, in the labor market for example. It's going in the right direction ". But it's a little slow for the taste of European experts...

From the heavier

The Commission would like something "a little heavier" and "a little faster": reform of unemployment insurance, labor taxation, employment of young people, seniors, etc. A huge project and reforms not very popular in the socialist electorate. " Two years is a short time. And we know that these reforms take time to have an effect. »

Mercy has limits

There will be no rab! warns our interlocutor. “We take the French government at its word. You want growth. Ok. Prove it. » There is therefore no question of authorizing a slippage until the next elections, in 2017. “ It's two years no more."

… but who is not disinterested

This sudden leniency of the Barroso Commission can be explained by an economic fact… and small political calculations. France's economy is strategic today. If France falls into recession, the situation will be even more difficult for its main partners, Spain and Italy, for example, already in a bad situation. And the recovery of the European economy hindered. For José-Manuel Barroso, who is finishing his second term next year, and is still looking for his base, this would signify 10 years of presence in Brussels under a catastrophic sign. And he needs the approval of Paris for his next ambitions: President of the European Council for example.

It will hurt !

What does the Commission want and what it intends to repeat in its report submitted at the end of May? This is what she has always defended: a reduction in the tax burden, better state efficiency and greater competition in certain sectors.

Brussels thus intends to plead for a reduction in labor costs. " The labor tax burden is too strong. It weighs on the business and longer-term profitability on investments ».

Plan for employment center

The labor market is still too “compartmentalised”. The public employment service in France is not very effective “, we underline in the entourage of the commissioner in charge of employment. And pan for Pole Emploi! The number of apprenticeship contracts is too low. And " we are still waiting for France to set up the youth initiative ". In other words, it offers all young people a training or employment path.

Another sector in the line of sight, social spending. The non-degressivity of unemployment benefits for older workers, for example, is singled out. And retirement at 60 is a red flag for European experts who believe that the length of working life should, on the contrary, be increased...

Finally, Brussels considers that in certain major sectors such as electricity or rail transport, competition is weak and there are too many barriers to competition.

The socialists will still be able to swallow a few snakes..!

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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