Chirac says 2007 budget will promote job growth, raise spending power

French President Jacques Chirac said the 2007 draft budget presented by the government today will contribute to job growth and an increase in consumer spending power, even as it help's cut the country's debt burden. According to a spokesman, Chirac said at today's cabinet meeting that the 2007 draft is "a good budget, favourable to employment, to spending power, and to reducing debt." The government anticipates 250,000 new job creations next year, while a reform of the country's income tax regime will result in total income tax cuts of 3.6 bln eur. Overall, tax revenues will fall to 43.7 pct of GDP in 2007, down from 44 pct this year.