Macron holds 1st big rally; Rivals stir up ‘McKinsey Affair’ | Health

This is called the “McKinsey Incident” and is named after an American consulting firm hired to advise the French government on the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and other policies. A new French Senate report questioned the government’s use of private consultants and accused McKinsey of tax avoidance. The problem is to energize Macron’s rivals and dot him with the suspension of the campaign prior to the first presidential vote on April 10 in France.

Macron, a middle-aged politician at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, has been a comfortable lead in polls over far-right leader Marine Le Pen and other challengers. I’m waiting.

“We are here to enable progress and independence projects for France, for the future,” Macron said of about 30,000 spectators at the stadium, which usually hosts rugby games. Told to. Anxiety … and more to achieve to restore radicalism. “

Macron employees up to € 6,000 ($ 6,627) to companies, talking to those who think “all salaries go to petrol, bills and rent” as the war in Ukraine is pushing up food and energy prices. I promised to give my members a tax-exempt bonus) As soon as this summer.

He also promised to raise the minimum pension for those who worked full-time to € 1,100 ($ 1,214) per month. This is an increase from the current € 700. He said the retirement age needs to be gradually raised from 62 to 65 to raise funds for the plan.

The supporters welcomed him and said, “Macron, President!” “One, two, five years left!” And abandon the French tricolor flag.

But for those who are leaving Macron’s seat, the word “McKinsey” is becoming a rallying cry.

Critics have described the € 1 billion spent by the French government on consulting firms like McKinsey last year as the privatization and Americanization of French politics, demanding more transparency.

The French Senate, which is dominated by opposition conservatives, released a report last month investigating the government’s use of private consulting firms. The report found that state spending on such contracts has doubled in the last three years, despite mixed outcomes, which could lead to conflicts of interest. I warned. Dozens of private companies are involved in consulting, including giants such as Ireland-based multinational Accenture, French groups and Capgemini.

Most frighteningly, McKinsey hasn’t paid corporate tax in France since at least 2011, but instead uses a Delaware-based parent company’s “tax optimization” system.

McKinsey has issued a statement defending its business in France, stating that it “respects the French tax laws that apply to it.”

McKinsey specifically advised the French government on the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The campaign started off with a pause, but eventually became one of the most comprehensive in the world. External consultants also advised the Macron government on housing reform, asylum policies and other measures.

The Senate reported that France was less profitable than Britain and Germany, and the conservative former President Nicolas Sarkozy spent more on external consultants than Macron.

Budget Minister Olivier Dusopt said state funding spent on consultants was about 0.3% of what the government spent last year on salaries for civil servants, and McKinsey earned only a small portion of it. He accused the campaign’s rivals of inflating the case to raise their own reputation.

Nevertheless, the incident has hurt Macron.

Macron, a former investment banker who was once accused of being a “rich president,” said in the early days of the pandemic that the government spent a lot of time protecting workers and businesses and “needed” to mitigate the blow. When I vowed to do anything, I saw his rating soar. But his rivals say the McKinsey case has rekindled concerns that Macron and his government are being watched over in private interests and not in contact with regular voters.

Wherever Macron goes now, he is asked about it.

“I’ve heard a lot about tax evasion, an American company, in the last few days,” Macron said at a rally on Saturday. Even in the local government, “I want to remind people who are indignant (consulting company) that I used it.”

He also pointed out the government’s struggle to ensure that businesses pay a fair tax burden.

“Europe’s minimum tax, we fought for it, we did it,” he said.

France is promoting the rapid implementation of a minimum corporate tax of 15% in the European Union of 27 countries, which was agreed in October last year by more than 130 countries.