A symbolic victory or a step towards legislative change?
On Thursday evening, the left-wing alliance in the French National Assembly succeeded, with the abstention of the far-right Rassemblement National, in adopting a bill inspired by the work of economist Gabriel Zucman, aimed at introducing a minimum tax on the wealth of the wealthiest 0.01% of the French population, ensuring that they contribute at least 2% of their fortune to the national treasury. This levy would affect approximately 1,800 people, according to Green Party deputy Clémentine Autain, and would reportedly generate between 15 and 25 billion euros annually.
While this bill was successfully passed for the first time in the Assembly during the Green Party’s parliamentary time slot, its legislative future remains uncertain, hindering its potential adoption as law. Indeed, for parliamentary bills to become law, they must be adopted in identical terms by both the National Assembly and the Senate. If they are not, the bill is shuttled back and forth between the two chambers indefinitely, without either body having the final say. This is the scenario most likely to play out in this particular case.
The Senate’s opposition
In the coming weeks, it is highly probable that one of the three left-wing groups in the Senate—the Socialists, the Greens, or the Communists—will take up the bill passed by the Assembly. However, the Senate majority, largely composed of right-wing and center-right parties, is almost certain to reject it. The bill could then return to the Assembly via another parliamentary time slot, potentially leading to a повторно adoption and a повторно rejection by the Senate.
The possibility of a joint committee
If the government or either chamber of parliament so decides—a highly unlikely prospect at this stage—a joint committee (CMP) could be convened, bringing together seven deputies and seven senators to attempt to reach an agreement on the bill. In three out of four cases, the Macronists and the right have a majority in this body, allowing them to reject the text almost automatically. Even if they were in the minority, there is no guarantee that the two RN deputies on the committee would align with the left—they abstained during the Assembly vote.
"It seems very complicated," admits Éric Coquerel, president of the Assembly’s Finance Committee. "The ball is in play," he adds optimistically. "A change in government would be enough to change the situation." In other words, before 2027, the chances of seeing such a proposal definitively adopted by Parliament are negligible.
Implications and prospects
The passage of this bill in the Assembly is a symbolic victory for the left, reflecting growing public support for measures aimed at reducing wealth inequality. It also highlights the divisions within the French political landscape, with the right and far-right firmly opposed to such progressive taxation policies.
The bill’s uncertain fate in the Senate underscores the complexities of the French legislative process and the challenges involved in pushing through significant reforms, especially when they require cross-party consensus. The upcoming presidential election in 2027 will be a key moment to watch, as the outcome could potentially reshape the political balance in both chambers and influence the future of this and other progressive proposals.
Despite the bill’s uncertain prospects, its introduction and adoption in the Assembly represent a step forward in the debate on wealth redistribution in France. It has brought the issue to the forefront of public and political discourse, and has laid the groundwork for future legislative efforts aimed at addressing economic inequalities.
