Economics

France To Squeeze Businesses

The new socialist government in France has its eye on balancing the budget by putting the screws to businesses and the wealthy

|

PARIS—France's parliament has passed a budget amendment that raises a slew of new taxes on businesses and the wealthy while barely cutting spending.

The final version of the law was agreed Tuesday by both houses of the legislature, the National Assembly and the Senate.

The law revises the 2012 budget after economic growth fell short of projections, and sets the tone for President Francois Hollande's Socialist administration. It rolls back several measures the previous, conservative government passed to shake up a hidebound labor market. It eliminates a tax break on overtime pay, for example.

The government has promised the 2013 budget will include spending cuts, but economists worry the new leaders don't understand how urgently France needs to reduce costs. Ballooning debt has forced other European countries to seek bailouts.

 About Comments

Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.

 

Most Viewed Blog Posts

Heart attack kills NY dad who lost 6 kids in fire Does California State Fair need to change? With its attendance flat, some say yes California Gov. Jerry Brown upsets environmentalist friends with his CEQA critique Iran, al-Qaida, Taliban told to pay $6B for 9/11 Woman's body stolen from NJ mausoleum NY couple, 85, to remarry 48 years after divorce

Sacto 9-1-1: Folsom prison inmate attacked, stabbed in exercise yard Capitol Alert: Dozens of lawmakers donate to Gov. Brown's tax initiative The State Worker: CA Faculty Assn. wants members to ratify tentative deal The Swarm: Sacramento council poised to hike fines for false alarms

Quick Job Search

Enter Keyword(s): Enter a City: Select a State: Select a Category:

Advanced Job Search | Search by Category

Sacramento Bee Jobs »

» See More Top Jobs

Buy Used Cars
Dealer and private-party ads Make:

Model:

Price Range:
to
Search within:
miles of ZIP

Search used 

Advanced Search | 1982 & Older

Get the Deal!

Local Deals Find more great deals!
findnsave.sacbee.com