Economist Gabriel Zucman responds to Macron: No, the rich will not leave if we tax them a little more
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France has a problem with the rich. Not the one we are sometimes told, which would have us believe that "boo-hoo, we don't like success in this country." No, no, the problem with the rich is just that they don't pay proportionally enough taxes . In February, however, the left managed to pass (on first reading in the Assembly) the creation of a minimum tax of 2% on the assets of the very wealthy , vulgarly called the "Zucman tax," named after Gabriel Zucman, an economist who has done some work on the subject . And guess who is largely opposed to this tax? The President, obviously.
On TF1 on Tuesday, May 13, Emmanuel Macron repeatedly reiterated that this type of tax was dangerous. With the eternal argument: "Do you think that if France alone imposes a tax on assets worth more than 100 million euros, people will kindly stay and be taxed?" Zucman therefore decided to respond to Emmanuel Macron directly.
First on X , where the economist recalled that the studies carried out on the subject were "unanimous" : "Tax exile in response to wealth taxation is a negligible phenomenon." On Instagram , Zucman continued his reflection: "No, large fortunes will not leave en masse if we tax them a little more. Tax exile exists. It is not completely zero, but all available studies show that it is quantitatively very low." "France is a tax haven for billionaires," continues environmental activist Camille Etienne , "and this situation undermines a fundamental principle of our Constitution, which is equality before taxation. It is shocking, but today billionaires pay practically no income tax in France."
The solution? "Our great fortunes should be subject to a minimum tax rate," Zucman continues. "And for this minimum rate to work, it must be expressed not in terms of income, which is easily manipulated, but in terms of assets." And that's what was adopted in February. The Senate, which has a right-wing majority, is scheduled to vote on this tax on June 12.
Libération
