François Fillon mocks François Hollande’s conversion to social VAT plan after 14 years

François Fillon says it took François Hollande 14 years to embrace a policy Hollande once abolished.

Hollande, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, has brought the idea of a “social VAT” back into debate as a possible 2027 presidential contender. In his new book, “Unir. Nouveau monde, nouvelle gauche,” he supports raising France’s standard VAT rate from 20% to 24% and using the additional revenue to reduce social contributions.

The policy was introduced under Nicolas Sarkozy but repealed by Hollande in 2012. Hollande later acknowledged that he regretted the decision. Fillon, Sarkozy’s former prime minister, seized on the reversal in a post on X: “François Hollande proposes introducing a social VAT that my government had passed in 2012 and that he had rushed to repeal. It took him 14 years to convert!”

The social VAT is not a new tax. It would shift part of social financing toward VAT revenue, with the extra receipts allocated to France’s social security system. Supporters argue that lowering employers’ social contributions could reduce labor costs, raise workers’ net wages and improve purchasing power.

Opponents say VAT is not progressive and would affect poorer households more heavily. Trade unions also warn that companies could receive a windfall while consumers bear the cost.

“

François Hollande proposes introducing a social VAT that my government had passed in 2012 and that he had rushed to repeal. It took him 14 years to convert!