BBC: Some of France's wealthiest people have called on the government to tackle its deficit by raising taxes - on the rich.
Sixteen executives, including Europe's richest woman, the L'Oreal [sic] heiress Liliane Bettencourt, offered in an open letter to pay a "special contribution" in a spirit of "solidarity".
Later the government is due to announce tighter fiscal measures as it seeks to reassure markets and curb the deficit.
They are expected to include a special tax on the super-rich.
Before the announcement, expected on Wednesday evening, a letter appeared on the website of the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur.
It was signed by some of France's most high-profile chief executives, including Christophe de Margerie of oil firm Total, Frederic Oudea of bank Societe Generale, and Air France's Jean-Cyril Spinetta.
They said: "We, the presidents and leaders of industry, businessmen and women, bankers and wealthy citizens would like the richest people to have to pay a 'special contribution'."
They said they had benefited from the French system and that: "When the public finances deficit and the prospects of a worsening state debt threaten the future of France and Europe and when the government is asking everybody for solidarity, it seems necessary for us to contribute." » | Wednesday, August 24, 2011
