Ministry of Economics and Finance (France) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minister of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty |
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_(cropped).jpg) Éric Lombard since 23 December 2024 |
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| Style | Monsieur le ministre |
| Member of | Council of Ministers |
| Reports to | President of the Republic and to Parliament |
| Seat | Ministry of the Economy and Finance building Bercy, Paris |
| Appointer | President of the Republic |
| Term length | No fixed term
Remains in office while commanding the confidence of the National Assembly and the President of the Republic
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of 4 October 1958 |
| Precursor | The title of "Minister of Finance" has existed since 1518 in the Ancien Régime |
| Formation | 23 July 1958 |
| First holder | Antoine Pinay |
| Salary | €9,940 per month |
The Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty is a very important part of the Government of France. It is often called Bercy for short. The person in charge, the Minister, is one of the most important members of the French government, right after the Prime Minister. Over time, the Ministry's name has changed. It has included words like "economics," "industry," "finance," and "employment."
Contents
What the Ministry Does
The Minister of Economics and Finance has many big jobs. They help manage France's money and economy.
Managing Money and Taxes
- The Ministry helps create laws about taxes. This means deciding how much money people and businesses should pay to the government.
- It looks after France's national money and the country's financial system. This includes managing the government's funds.
Supporting Businesses and Industry
- The Ministry works to help the economy grow. This includes supporting different industries, like tourism and small businesses.
- It also makes sure there is fair competition between companies. This helps protect consumers, meaning people who buy things.
- The Ministry also deals with job policies and education for careers.
The Minister is in charge of the state's money. They also represent France in important meetings about money and finance in Europe. One such meeting is the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).
Where the Ministry Is Located
The main building for the Ministry of Economics and Finance is in a part of Paris called Bercy. It is in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. This large building is shared with another ministry. It stretches all the way to the Seine River. There is even a special dock for fast river boats. These boats help people travel quickly to other government offices. You can also get there by Paris Métro lines 6 and 14 at Bercy station.
The Bercy Building Complex
The Ministry's complex is huge, covering about 5 hectares (which is like 12 football fields!). It has five different buildings. Two of them, Sully and Turgot, are used by the tax department. The Necker building is next to the train tracks. There's also the Vauban building. The Colbert building is where the main Ministries are located.
The Colbert building is very impressive. It has two giant arches, each 70 meters long. Each arch weighs 8,000 tons, which is as heavy as the Eiffel Tower! This building is special because it's the only government building in Paris built at a right angle to the Seine River. Also, part of its foundation is actually in the river's water.
People sometimes call the Ministry "the Bercy Fortress." This nickname comes from the building's impressive size. It also suggests that the Ministry is a bit mysterious, with many important government workers inside.
History of the Building
For 110 years, the Ministry of Finance was located in the Louvre museum. But in the 1980s, during a big building project by President François Mitterrand, it was decided to move the Ministry. The idea was to bring together 40 different offices that were spread across Paris into one new building.
After a competition, two architects, Paul Chemetov and Borja Huidobro, were chosen in 1982. They designed the Colbert, Necker, and Vauban buildings. Other architects, Louis Arretche and Roman Karasinski, designed the Tugot and Sully buildings in 1983.
Construction began in 1984. By 1989, the Ministry's employees moved from the Louvre into their new home. Pierre Bérégovoy was the first finance minister to work in the new Bercy building.
Who is in Charge?
As of December 23, 2024, Éric Lombard is the Minister of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. He works with other ministers to manage the country's economy.
See also
In Spanish: Ministerio de Economía, Finanzas e Industria de Francia para niños
