France: the idea of a tax on the superprofits of the energy giants again in debate
Total oil platform in the North Sea, off Aberdeen, Scotland (Illustration image).
AFP - ANDY BUCHANAN
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
The idea, narrowly dismissed by the deputies in July, was revived by the enormous profits reaped by TotalEnergies, Engie or even the carrier CMA CGM.
She returns this Monday, August 1 to the Senate.
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While many French people have purchasing power difficulties due to the rise in energy prices, the initiative for an exceptional solidarity contribution from large groups is carried by the left, but also by the centrists.
It would be a question of exceptionally taxing the monster profits recorded by the big energy companies.
Those who made 20% more profits in 2021 compared to the average of the previous three years would be targeted.
► To read also: Record profits for the oil giants
The profits of certain groups have exploded in recent months thanks to soaring energy prices: 18 billion dollars for the British oil company Shell in the second quarter, 3.8 billion for the Italian Eni, 5.7 billion euros for the French TotalEnergies.
The Spanish Repsol has seen its profits grow by 165% since January.
The government opposed to this tax
In July, the initiatives of the left in the direction of a tax gave rise to incandescent debates in the Assembly, but they were narrowly dismissed.
The government, which opposes it, managed to get the Macronist MP who had presented a similar amendment to finally withdraw it.
In the light of Total's decision to grant a rebate of up to 20 cents per liter of fuel.
The proposed tax on superprofits which is back on the table in the Senate is defended by the centrist senator Nathalie Goulet.
She sees it as a "
republican measure
".
“
The act of saying, 'The government is going to ask, please give us a small contribution.'
I find that absolutely outrageous and anti-Republican.
The law is there to rebalance all that.
I think it's a measure of social justice and that the Senate would still be well advised to vote for
it, ”she explains at the microphone of RFI.
In the Senate, François Patriat, president of the Marcheurs group, believes that a tax on superprofits would be “
not a good sign
”.
“
The centrists' amendment says that all companies that make more than 20% profit will be taxed tomorrow.
It means that, in this country, you should not earn money.
Above all, companies must lose money, so things will go better: we won't tax them anymore
, ”he quips.
And also to support: “
At one point, we think that it is through growth that we will get out of it, it is through work that we will get out of it.
It is through activity that we will get out of it.
In the Upper House as in the Assembly, the supertax will find it difficult to pass.
Because the right, majority in the Senate, should again block.
Among European countries, Spain announced in mid-July a tax on the extraordinary profits of large energy and financial companies.
Previously, London unveiled at the end of May
the introduction of a 25% tax on profits
for the oil and gas giants, which should raise 5 billion pounds.
Romania and Greece have also imposed measures affecting energy groups.
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France
Energies
Taxation