Dominique de Villepin minimum wage increase proposal France, Digi Mart USA News (France): Several left-wing parties and unions are calling for an increase in France’s minimum wage, known as the SMIC. La France insoumise wants to raise the current net monthly minimum of €1,477.93 to €1,700, while the CFDT demands an additional €100 net per month and the CGT proposes about €150.
On Tuesday, November 3, Fabien Roussel, the Communist Party (PCF) candidate in the presidential election, went further on franceinfo, calling for a gross minimum wage of €2,200. Another presidential candidate, Dominique de Villepin, was asked about the issue on France Inter.
Villepin, president of the party La France humaniste and a former prime minister, ruled out an increase of that size, though he acknowledged the need for a wage boost given inflation. “Giving a boost to the minimum wage is necessary given inflation, but it is certainly not the solution to everything,” he said.
He called a €1,700 net minimum wage “illusory in a context of zero growth.” He also warned of the effect on wages just above the minimum. “The real risk is seeing all other salaries put in difficulty, the so-called low-wage trap,” he told host Benjamin Duhamel.
Instead, Villepin emphasized reviving economic activity. “The solution is growth, fighting for growth,” he said, noting that France has recorded only 0.5 points of average growth over the past 20 years.
He said the country should reach 1% to 1.5% to improve its economic situation.
He also recommended reviewing the tax and social system to free up room to finance necessary measures, including through tax and social exemptions. “We need to put things back in order and reset our financial system,” he said.
The government has not ruled out an additional minimum wage increase beyond the 1% rise already scheduled for January 1, 2027. However, Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou categorically rejected the La France insoumise proposal on France Inter on October 29.
“I think it would hurt the economy and hurt social well-being. You would destroy 250,000 jobs.
You would fuel inflation,” he said.
