François Bayrou, speaking ahead of the 2026 budget discussions, announced plans to request a "specific effort" from the highest income earners, particularly targeting those who optimize their tax situations. He emphasized the need to address "unjust tax loopholes" that primarily benefit wealthy households and advocated for a rebalancing of corporate subsidies. Bayrou also stressed that these measures are necessary to reduce the budget deficit and prepare for the future, while clarifying that the approach is not one of austerity but involves "important but bearable efforts" for the French population. Additionally, during the 2025 Social and Economic Forum (REF), Bayrou proposed defining the status of private landlords to stimulate the housing sector and supported the removal of certain public holidays in May, citing it as the "least worked" month. He reiterated the importance of ensuring that the most privileged French citizens contribute fairly to national efforts. Other political figures at the forum, such as Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau, highlighted the need to move away from outdated social models and state-centric systems.