French presidential candidate François Fillon, 62, is still proposing an increase in VAT, despite reports on Monday that he was about to renounce the idea. The centre-right candidate of Les Republicains wants to increase the standard rate from 20 to 22 percent, and the intermediate rate from 10 to 12 percent, in order to raise €16 billion into state coffers. However, he has come in for harsh criticism from opponents of the move, who claim that an increase in VAT would carry significant risk for the purchasing power of the … Continue reading Fillon sticks by VAT raise, looks to American-style heathcare