Budget 2027 : audition de Roland Lescure et David Amiel

The hearing opens with the Senate Finance Committee chairman highlighting the tight financing conditions and rising risk premium for France. Minister Roland Lescure presents the economic context: growth of around 0.5% in 2026, a deficit of 5.4% of GDP, and a debt burden increasing by over €10 billion per year. He outlines the government’s objective to reduce the deficit to 5% in 2027, based on structural efforts of €28 billion (€17 billion revenue, €11 billion expenditure). Key measures include a freeze on most social benefits and pensions, targeting tax loopholes, and preserving investment in defense, education, and the energy transition. He emphasizes the need to control public spending and stabilize debt, with a primary deficit target of 2.1% in 2027. Minister David Amiel details the public accounts side: a structural effort equivalent to 1.2 points of potential GDP, a reduction in the social security deficit from €21.8 billion to €12.7 billion, and a total of €43 billion in new measures. He insists on the freeze as the default rule for state credits, reallocation of ministry staff, and reforms such as aligning sick leave taxation with income. Both ministers stress the importance of maintaining the 5% deficit anchor despite the upcoming presidential election, and argue that inaction would be worse. The hearing includes references to the High Council of Public Finances and a mission on fiscal transparency.