Le Figaro Actualités9/4/2026Opinion1 min readFrance

Chronicle and column on public finances and taxation in France

Quick Look

In a column, Renaud Girard criticizes France's financial situation compared to its European neighbors and calls for the inclusion of budgetary golden rules in the Constitution.
In a column, Agnès Verdier-Molinié opposes the increases in inheritance taxes on high wealth defended by the left, believing that they would send a harmful message discouraging entrepreneurship in France.

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Why It Matters

Several European countries have included budgetary golden rules in their constitutions to guarantee financial discipline. In France, the debate on the taxation of high wealth, in particular inheritance taxes, pits the left, which wishes to increase them to reduce inequalities, against the right and certain economists who fear a negative impact on investment and entrepreneurship.

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Renaud Girard: “France, financial shame of Europe”

CHRONICLE - Our European neighbors have included budgetary golden rules in their respective Constitutions. It is urgent that the French do it too and stick to it.

Agnès Verdier-Molinié: ““Take everything”, the tax weapon of those who do not know how to create wealth”

TRIBUNE - From Raphaël Glucksmann to La France insoumise via the CFDT, the increases in inheritance taxes on high wealth defended by the left would send the French a deleterious message, that of not doing business in France or doing it as little as possible.

Open Questions

What are France's current debt and deficit levels compared to its European neighbors?
What would be the real economic impact of an increase in inheritance tax on high wealth in France?
Would the proposed budgetary golden rules be binding or simply declarative?