On January 30, 2025, discussions around France's budget for the upcoming year are heating up as key government officials assemble to negotiate terms and allocations. Leading the charge on the National Rally (RN) front, Jean-Philippe Tanguy, deputy from Somme, is vocal about his concerns, denouncing what he describes as the "ectoplasmic" nature of the proposed budget.
Tanguy made headlines as he participated in the Commission mixte paritaire (CMP) aimed at reconciling differences between the Senate and the National Assembly over the state's proposed 1.5 trillion euros budget. His criticisms intensified following the adoption of article 4 of the budget, which addresses the controversial electricity pricing. He argues this could lead to drastic price hikes affecting electricity costs by 10% over the coming decade.
"Un mauvais budget" is how Tanguy describes the financial plan, expressing deep-seated concerns about its overall clarity and content, or lack thereof. During his segment on franceinfo, he lambasted the current administration, stating, "On a un budget ectoplasmique... qui peut faire du mal et faire peur aux Français, mais il n'y a pas d'objet politique dedans." This stark assessment sets the tone for his engagement with both the public and various media outlets.
Tanguy did not hold back from criticizing the Socialist party, labeling their approach as "l'arnaque" (a scam) and accusing them of opportunism when they canceled talks over immigration policies, which he perceives as leveraging political power games at the expense of the budget negotiations.
He lamented how political maneuvers are jeopardizing the potential for effective governance, stating, "Ils sont capables de mettre à terre un accord sur le budget de 1 500 milliards de dépenses, parce que Monsieur Bayrou a prononcé un mot qui ne leur plaît pas..." This was aimed at securing the socialist agenda, albeit at the detriment of the overarching need for fiscal responsibility.
With the government leading discussions, Tanguy has taken to media platforms to warn about the potential pitfalls of the current budget approach, describing Prime Minister François Bayrou's strategy as both "malin" and "vicieux"—clever and sinister. He warns his colleagues about the lack of concrete solutions, portraying the budget as lacking true substance, calling it "un peu fantomatique," or ghost-like, which haunts the halls of Parliament.
Within these discussions, Tanguy critiques the lack of decisive measures compared to previous government plans, such as former leader Barnier's considerably more contentious budget. He offers his take on Bayrou being overly cautious not to offend stakeholders, claiming, "C’est très malin de sa part. Je remarque qu'il a tiré les leçons de la censure du gouvernement Barnier et qu'il est plus malin," highlighting the strategic nuance of the current administration.
The balance of power and trust emerges as pivotal elements within these discussions. While Tanguy remains wary of the current developments, he also acknowledged certain lines drawn around significant issues like nuclear energy, indicating the importance of vigilance where governmental decisions might extend beyond the immediate financial concerns to affect long-term national security.
Reflecting on the potential for his party to oppose the budget outright, he remains ambiguous, yet emphasizes their traditional red lines, particularly those which could lead to financial strains on public welfare. His comments have initiated discussions about the RN's stance going forward, asking whether previous lessons learned might steer their parliamentary strategy as the budget negotiations draw to a close.
Concluding his remarks at the end of panel discussions, Tanguy expressed hope for transparency and clarity from the government, lamenting on what seems to him as the ghostly shadows cast by vague budgeting practices. He remains resolute about the need for politicians to communicate effectively with the public about fiscal matters to mitigate fears and promote confidence among citizens.
The upcoming days will be pivotal as the budget negotiations take shape. With Tanguy and the RN firmly engaged, the direction of the fiscal discussions will no doubt influence both immediate and future political landscapes within France. What remains clear is the growing urgency for meaningful discussions around fiscal responsibility and transparency—a necessity he hopes will shape not just this budget debate but future ones as well.