10 billion in savings: MR wants to cut spending rather than raise taxes

The next federal budgetary conclave promises to be decisive.

The government must find 10 billion euros by 2029 to put public finances on a more sustainable trajectory. An exercise that once again risks putting the majority partners before difficult choices.

For Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of MR, one thing is clear, however: it will not be necessary to repeat the same negotiations as last year, where each party came to defend its own markers.

« If everyone comes back with their little symbols, we are heading in the same direction as last year. »

During a gathering of MR activists in Braine-l'Alleud, the liberal president presented the line his party wishes to defend in the upcoming negotiations: act on public spending and create the necessary conditions for more economic growth.

Reducing the state's lifestyle

For MR, the equation should not be resolved primarily by new taxes.

The party notably opposes a VAT increase and advocates a reduction in the "lifestyle" of the State.

So the question is simple: where to find savings?

Georges-Louis Bouchez states that MR will soon present to the government a "growth plan", including a quantified trajectory that would aim for 16 to 17 billion euros in savings, across all levels of government, without increasing taxes.

The plan should notably revolve around several axes: deregulation, tax reduction, and strengthening training.

The objective is to allow the economy to create more wealth, while gradually reducing public spending.

Fewer rules, more growth?

Among the proposals put forward is a desire to simplify rules and reduce the administrative burden.

Georges-Louis Bouchez summarizes this approach with a deliberately provocative formula:

« Today, the most useful minister is the one who eliminates texts! »

The idea defended is that too many rules and procedures can hinder businesses, self-employed workers, and economic activity.

Added to this is the desire to strengthen training, in order to better meet the needs of the labor market.

Where to make savings?

The president of MR also mentioned several sectors in which savings could, in his opinion, be made.

He notably cites healthcare, where he believes there are abuses and that the hospital landscape remains too extensive.

He also mentions the BIM status, and particularly the need to better control certain situations when access to increased intervention is automatic.

Another area mentioned: the functioning of public authorities and the political world itself.

MR notably advocates a reduction in the number of deputies and ministers, the abolition of provinces, and a reform of the public service.

Artificial intelligence could also, according to this approach, contribute to reviewing certain working methods and improving the efficiency of administrations.

And taxation?

This is probably one of the main points of tension in the next conclave.

MR maintains its opposition to a VAT hike or a general increase in tax pressure.

Georges-Louis Bouchez also recalls that the government agreement provides that a large majority of the budgetary effort must come from structural reforms, while only a part can rely on a tax contribution from the highest incomes and certain other incomes.

For the president of MR, this limit must be respected.

The debate is therefore likely to be intense: should we seek more revenue or reduce spending further?

A choice of model

Behind these budgetary negotiations is ultimately a broader question: what kind of state do we want?

For MR, the answer lies in a lighter, less complex, and more efficient state.

This implies questioning certain structures, certain expenditures, and certain public policies, but also measuring their effectiveness.

The reasoning is as follows: continuously increasing public spending does not necessarily guarantee a proportional improvement in services rendered to citizens.

The stated objective is therefore to reduce spending, stimulate growth, and gradually decrease tax pressure, rather than systematically seeking new revenue.

The coming months will show how far this line can be defended within the majority.

Because as Georges-Louis Bouchez summarized to the activists: the next six months will be decisive for the balance sheet of the various governments.

Between a new series of marginal compromises and a real structural reform, the choice will have to be made.