France's parliament passes contentious 2013 budget

PanARMENIAN.Net - France's parliament has passed a contentious budget for next year that includes a raft of new taxes aimed slashing the country's deficit and putting it on the path to economic recovery, The Associated Press reports.

Socialist President Francois Hollande's budget aims to cut €30 billion ($40 billion), with two-thirds of that coming in tax hikes, including a 75 percent levy on incomes earned over €1 million. But it was the increase in taxes on profits from investments that raised the most hackles in France, touching off a Twitter revolution of entrepreneurs who accused the government of punishing those who take risks.

The bill, which the conservative opposition complained doesn't make enough spending cuts, has struggled to get through parliament. The lower house eventually passed it Thursday, Dec 20, in a show of hands vote.