Politico: Macron faces rising “Nicolas” Revolt as anti-tax sentiment surges

A major anti-tax movement is gaining momentum online in France, putting President Emmanuel Macron’s government on edge ahead of what could be an explosive budget showdown this autumn.

“Nicolas qui paie” (“Nicolas picks up the tab”) has become a rallying call for white-collar workers who feel overtaxed to prop up a crumbling welfare system. The phrase traces its roots to a 2020 meme portraying a despairing 30-year-old middle-class worker — Nicolas — footing the bill for pensioners “Chantal and Bernard” to take cruises, supporting unemployed 25-year-old “Karim,” and financing development aid to Africa.

Since then, “Nicolas” has evolved into shorthand for middle-class frustration: too “rich” to qualify for benefits, but not wealthy enough to avoid rising taxes.

According to Visibrain data cited by POLITICO, more than 503,000 tweets on “Nicolas qui paie” have been posted this year, with activity surging since June.

The Elysée Palace is now monitoring it closely.

 “We’re paying attention to movements such as ‘Nicolas qui paie’,” said an adviser. “It can be seen either as a populist far-right movement or a warning sign that the people’s acceptance of taxes is wearing thin. We think it’s both, and a sign that taxes mustn’t go up.”

The timing is politically sensitive. Prime Minister François Bayrou is preparing an austere 2026 budget with €44 billion in cuts, new levies, and plans to scrap two of France’s 11 public holidays.

“It’s going to heat up in the autumn,” a French official warned. “We’ve got to cut spending by 30 billion, and we’re not good at cutting.”

The government is haunted by memories of the Yellow Vest movement, which began as a Facebook-led anti-tax revolt in 2018 and spiraled into violent protests, forcing Macron to reverse planned fuel tax hikes and roll back pensioner tax increases.

Although “Nicolas” supporters are a different demographic, both movements emerged from grassroots online discontent.

Pollster Bruno Jeanbart of OpinionWay said Macron’s camp is “right to be worried” because the movement is “reaching the heart of their electorate, successful young people who believe in putting a lot of effort into work, and who voted Macron.”

Opposition figures have already sought to harness the frustration. Hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau last month criticised Bayrou’s budget, saying he would propose measures to boost incomes, warning that otherwise “Nicolas will keep on paying.”

Conservative MP Éric Ciotti quipped in June that “it doesn’t matter” the Paris Olympics went over budget because “it’s Nicolas who is picking up the tab.”

While some see the phenomenon as a potential opening for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, Jeanbart noted that the party has traditionally struggled to attract this demographic. Its staunch defense of pensioners’ rights could also clash with “Nicolas” priorities.

Whether or not Le Pen capitalises, the trend reflects a broader reality: for many taxpayers, politics is becoming less about party loyalty and more about venting frustration with the system.

By Sabina Mammadli