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The French Ministry for the Economy and Finance (French: Ministère de l'économie et des finances [ministɛʁ dᵊ lekɔnɔmi e defiˈnɑ̃s]), called the Finance Ministry for short, is one of the most important ministries in the cabinet of France and the finance minister is one of the most prominent cabinet members after the prime minister.
Contents
The exact name of the ministry has changed over time, and has included the terms "economy", "industry", "finances", or "employment" through history.
Responsibilities
The Minister of Finance oversees:
By her authority above the financial assets of the State, the financial and economic national system and the taxation rules, the Minister is allowed to represent France in the European Union council of the minister of the Economy and Finance (ECOFIN).
See: http://www.minefi.gouv.fr/directions_services/sircom/ministere/organigramme_minefe.htm
Location
The Ministry of Finance is situated in Bercy, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. The building extends to the Seine River, where there is an embarcadero with fast river boats for faster liaisons to other government agencies.
That is why the French media often refer to it as simply "Bercy". The sentence the Bercy Fortress (la forteresse de Bercy) refers to the Ministry as a dark department with obtuse civil servants, especially of high rank. That is emphasized by the impressive look of the building.
For evident practical reasons, the two ministers share the building and some common services that were under the former ministry of Economy, Finances and Industry.