Macron Opponents Paint Him as ‘Anti-Robin Hood’ in Tax Uproar

President Emmanuel Macron’s effort to scrap France’s wealth tax is overshadowing other government policies as opponents portray him as an “anti-Robin Hood” who is taking from the poor to give to the rich.

With his first budget now being scrutinized by lawmakers, Macron and his ministers are in the uncomfortable position of defending a cut in the tax on personal assets over 1.3 million euros ($1.5 million) while also having cut housing subsidies for the poor. Bruno Le Maire said Wednesday that the top 1,000 payers of the wealth tax -- known as the ISF -- will collectively benefit to the tune of 400 million euros under the new budget. That amount is equivalent to savings from lower housing benefits, the opposition says.