In the long-distance clash between France and Germany on budget rigor, he intervenes Pierre Moscovici. And he doesn't make concessions in Paris: ”What will I do in front of my country of origin? Rules, nothing but rules, are here to ensure our function as budget controllers and if a country fails to meet its treaty obligations and is under a procedure such as France, I will continue with the procedure“, said the Eurocommissioner-designate for Economic Affairs today in a hearing in the European Parliament. And again: "I would be lying if I said that I am here to change the budgetary rules, I am here to apply them" .
The position taken by Moscovici, former finance minister of the Hollande government and therefore co-responsible for the growth of the French deficit, could not be different given his new role in Brussels. On the other hand, he is also forced to this firmness by the supervision of all economic affairs entrusted to the vice president Jyiri Katainen, famously close to the penalty line supported by Angela Merkel. However it is likely that Moscovici tries to work to create spaces for understanding between the two locations of Paris and Berlin so distant at the moment. However, not an easy task.
Moscovici's stance comes 24 hours after the duel opened by the statements of French Finance Minister Michel Sapin who had declared that he "rejected austerity", after the recommendations arrived from the Commission on compliance with the 3% constraint in the deficit/GDP ratio. The deficit of the French state is expected to be 4,4% this year, 4,3% next year, 3,8% in 2016 and then fall to 2,8% only in 2017, with a delay of one year compared to previously announced plans.
The reply that arrived, without wasting time, from the German chancellor was harsh and concise: "Do your homework". A warning that in the language of Angela Merkel it means implementing austerity measures without yielding or derogating of any kind.
