French Government Aims Tax Hikes at the Self-Employed

Who needs entrepreneurs?

France's socialist government is to press ahead with plans to curb tax and other concessions for self-employed business people, despite a furious protest campaign.

The government softened some of the changes it originally proposed for the so-called "auto-entrepreneur" tax regime, but decided on Wednesday to introduce a two-year time limit and more restricted revenue caps for those taking advantage of it.

The move provoked a swift response from "Les Poussins" – The Chicks – a protest movement that has attracted more than 100,000 signatures for an online petition against the changes. The campaign echoes a successful tax rebellion last year led by internet entrepreneurs calling themselves "Les Pigeons".