# Gabriel Attal Proposes Reducing Payroll Taxes to Boost French Wages The presidential candidate advocates for a primary election to unify the center-right coalition. - **Source:** [France Info – Titres](https://www.francetvinfo.fr) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/da87dcdd-1770-4f6a-af39-a393427d502a ## Presidential Campaign Strategy Renaissance candidate Gabriel Attal visited Saint-Raphaël in the Var region to outline his platform for the upcoming presidential election. During his appearance, he emphasized the urgent need to reorganize the political landscape. Attal specifically criticized current backroom deals, advocating instead for a transparent primary election involving both center and right-wing political factions. ## The 'Desmicardisation' Initiative Attal identified the high number of French workers trapped at the minimum wage level, known as the SMIC, as a primary economic challenge. He argues that the current system of social charges discourages employers from granting salary increases. His proposed solution involves reducing these charges to facilitate higher net wages for employees. ## Artificial Intelligence Integration The candidate expressed frustration regarding the lack of debate surrounding artificial intelligence in the current presidential campaign. Attal compared the transformative potential of AI to the historical invention of electricity. He believes that integrating AI technologies into the economy is a key mechanism for driving productivity and increasing national salary levels. ## Center-Right Political Pressure Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Les Républicains deputies, is pushing for a unified candidate from the center and right before Christmas. He has called for a meeting within the next fifteen days to determine a selection method. This pressure highlights the ongoing fragmentation within the political spectrum ahead of the vote. ## Budgetary Policy Debates Beyond the primary, legislative tensions remain high regarding the national budget. Laurent Wauquiez stated that he would support budget tools like the 49.3 constitutional provision only if the final plan includes significant spending cuts. He explicitly rejected any new tax increases, demanding a fiscal strategy focused on austerity and structural economic reforms. ## Opposition Perspectives Antoine Léaument, a deputy for La France Insoumise, dismissed the government's current efforts to address the cost of living. He argued that the minimum wage should be raised to 1,700 euros net. Léaument characterized minor revaluations as insufficient crumbs, criticizing the government for allegedly favoring the wealthiest citizens over the working class. ## Navigating Opinion Polls As the election approaches, the multiplication of polls has created confusion for voters. Experts like Nicolas Hubé suggest that citizens must adopt critical reflexes to interpret data correctly. With Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon currently appearing as the only candidates reaching the second round, the political race remains highly volatile and uncertain. ## Broader Political Context The French political climate is currently defined by intense debates over economic policy, international security, and the necessity of coalition building. While candidates focus on domestic issues like wage stagnation, external pressures such as energy infrastructure attacks in Ukraine continue to influence the national discourse and the priorities of the French electorate. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.franceinfo.fr/politique/direct-politique-je-n-attends-plus-grand-chose-de-ce-gouvernement-a-part-de-le-remplacer-par-nous-memes-tacle-le-depute-lfi-antoine-leaument_8273093.html#xtor=RSS-3-[lestitres] — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._