We also have international commitments to

Public finances are in a delicate situation. Becoming Budget Minister looks a little like a poisoned gift. Why have accepted

It is seventeen years that I am in life policy and I believe it must know its responsibility. I have always had the will, in the debate, to be useful in the majority. Today, there is a consensus on the right and often beyond my political camp to consider that the control of public finances is an essential imperative. On this requirement, I fully share the vision of the President of the Republic and, in view of the political and economic situation in the wake of the regional elections, I felt my duty to accept this mission.

Nicolas Sarkozy did not mention the fight against the deficit in his address to the French, last week...

The Prime Minister reaffirmed top and hard this priority this weekend and for discussion with the head of State, I can assure you that it is the cornerstone of the reforms he wants to lead. For the first time, the question of deficits and debt is seen as crucial by the French. It is in their unconscious. We will, in the three-year budget 2011-2013 send a strong message of inflection of the deficit and control expenses. It is necessary to give confidence to households and to the taxpayers, because otherwise they could save by precaution and consume less. We also have international commitments to. It is not question of diverting our stability programme line.

The European Commission done little confidence. What to do if the growth expected by the France (2.5 per year) is not the appointment

Already first implementation of our programme, which aims precisely to promote the recovery. And if growth was lacking, the France would not only in this case.

What level is is finally located the end of 2009 deficit

The public deficit will be slightly lower than the 7.9 of GDP planned.

We must continue at the same pace the removal of the posts of officials. The discussion seems to gain ground in the majority, of many elected officials that more police officers, teachers, etc.

Here again, we dévierons not our line, namely the replacement of a staff member on two therefore retired. The rule will be applied to the period 2011-2013, as it has been in recent years. My mission is clear. But this rule is not uniform for all departments. It is declined according to the priority areas and the implementation of the reforms.

With nearly 70,000 retirement a year, this represents about 100,000 posts of officials less over the next three years...

It is on this basis that we began the preparation of the triennial budget. We will continue the non-renewal of the departures at the same rate as in 2010.

Is there sufficient margins for manoeuvre within the State to achieve

Yes, certainly. I am well aware of the difficulty of the exercise. We are on a ridge line. But the general revision of public policy is bearing fruit and to reduce expenditure and the number of posts of officials without altering the service rendered to the public, without affecting our social model. In any event, there is no alternative to the preserve. And everyone is satisfied in the majority, to be Chirac supporter or sarkozyste: the priority is to act on spending because samples are already very high. We will continue to apply strictly, between 2011 and 2013, the rule of the State spending growth limited to inflation. And then we will carry out essential reforms on pensions. I will be by Eric Woerth, who is the heavy task of reform.

The France is committed to reducing tax and EUR 6 billion social niches in the next three years. How do I

I find the term unsuitable niche, this is known as tax expenditures. What counts is what works. Some tax expenditures are less effective when others have a real utility, on the economic and social. Must be the case by case basis with the assessments that are underway. The coup of plane on all of the niches seem easy. I wish a virtuous debate in Parliament on this issue.

Can we ask all French efforts without reviewing the tax shield

I have belonged to a Government which has implemented the tax shield. I accompanied its lowering at 50 as a parliamentarian. It is a good principle of fair taxation and by nature I've always found that it was not enough time for a tax device to produce its effects. Let the device run on time and make the balance sheet. I hear all the arguments which are now developed and I have no doubt that this will be one of the topics, including the majority, in the heart of the budget debate. I like the idea of a fiscal stability on a tool like this. I thought before entering the Government, I still think since I am Minister of Budget.

But many personalities of the UMP, the first in which Alain Juppé and Dominique de Villepin himself, argue that must be at least partially, the review because with the crisis the political conditions have changed...

We share many values, but I have the truth to say that review this question partially involves actually review it completely.

How many taxpayers have benefited from the tax shield last year and how high

I do not have final results, but they should be of the same order of magnitude as in 2008. We received the title of the 2008 shield, rendered aircraft in 2009, nearly 19,000 requests for a total of 563 million euros.

When will take place the second Conference on the deficit

We will be ready for mid-May. I very quickly meet the leaders of working groups.

Do you think possible to arrive at a consensus on local spending

There are ways to ease tensions. Everyone must take a step. I do not like reducing speeches about the elect who would cost too much. At the same time, there are deposits of economies. Can obtain a diagnosis shared expenditures that are "imposed" by the State, particularly through the creation of new and sometimes unnecessary standards - I am Mayor, I know something. And to reach agreement then on efforts that can make communities.

Are you personally favourable to the inclusion in the Constitution of a rule of public finance balance

The debate is already in itself virtuous. I was expressed in the past on the need to ban, long-term deficits. It remains to find the right legal tool and try to find a bipartisan agreement. I am not sure that it is possible to consider an amendment to the Constitution before the end of the legislature. I understand that some elected officials, everything in the basic law can give the feeling of a loss of power politics. Act policy the most important in the short term, it will anyway be the 2011 budget.

It is the discipline announced by the opposition

The rigour, it would be to increase taxes.

Will the regularization of the Pentiti tax evaders continue

Eric Woerth was totally correct to initiate an offensive policy when the opportunity arose, with the famous HSBC listing. The tax administration has extended beyond January 1, a specific procedure for those who wish to regularize their situation. We will terminate the activity of this regularization cell in early May.