The government takes legal action after a leak on the possible taxation of employee savings

The examination of the budget has not even started and the debates are already tense. Matignon announced Monday that he had taken legal action after “internal work” was leaked to the press suggesting that employee savings could be imposed, as part of the preparation of the 2027 budget.

“A report under article 40 of the code of criminal procedure was sent to the Paris public prosecutor,” the Prime Minister’s services indicated in a press release. “These actions are likely to influence the economic life of the country, in particular by disrupting business life by inciting companies or individuals to make investment decisions on the basis of erroneous information,” they add.

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According to the economic daily Les Échos, the government plans to make part of the profit-sharing bonuses, participation or contributions from employers to savings plans subject to contributions. The Minister of the Economy Roland Lescure confirmed that this avenue was being studied, without commenting on the final decision.

However, for Matignon, the disclosure of these leads before the arbitration is rendered is likely “to characterize a breach of trust or a violation of professional secrecy”. “Those who do so expose the State, place themselves in a situation of disloyalty and illegality, and may be prosecuted criminally,” the same source insists, while specifying that this report is not aimed at the press.

“Justice will do its job”

In a message published on the Bluesky social network, the Minister of the Economy Roland Lescure supported the legal procedure launched by the Prime Minister's services. “The leaks of recent weeks are unacceptable and contrary to the interests of the Nation (...) [they] tarnish the work of these civil servants who work without counting their hours” wrote the tenant of Bercy. Before adding: “Justice will do its job and all light must be shed to identify those responsible for such maneuvers within all public institutions.”

Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure imposes an obligation to report to the public prosecutor, to “any public officer or civil servant” who has witnessed a crime or misdemeanor in the course of his duties. State agents are also required to exercise “professional discretion for all facts, information or documents of which they become aware in the exercise or during the exercise of [their] functions” under article L121-7 of the General Civil Service Code.