François Hollande regrets ending overtime tax exemptions

Former French President François Hollande has expressed regret over several key decisions made during his 2012–2017 term. Speaking on BFMTV, Hollande admitted that his decision to end the tax exemptions on overtime pay was an error, stating, “retaxing overtime, for those who work, was not a good decision at the time it was taken.”

The removal of this tax benefit, which had been implemented during Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency, was a campaign promise intended to address public finances. However, the move faced criticism for its impact on workers and employment.

Hollande also reflected on the Leonarda affair, a controversial case involving the deportation of a teenager to Kosovo. He acknowledged that his personal intervention in the matter was clumsy and noted that such decisions should have been handled by the Prime Minister or the Minister of the Interior rather than the President.

Additionally, Hollande criticized the current economic management of France, contrasting his administration's reduction of the public deficit with the significant social security deficits seen under Emmanuel Macron’s presidency.