''The problem is austerity' and 'we're fed up with red tape'. The state hopes it has the answers.

The French government has anticipated family arguments round the Christmas dinner table with a prepared set of answers to indignant questions about the state’s performance.

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On a page on the government’s official website entitled “Kit Famille Repas” (family meal kit), angry exclamations about the state’s failings are rebuffed one by one in calm and measured tones intended to bring back a sense of Christmas bonhomie.

“Taxes keep going up!” is answered by a sober: “Not true. In fact, next year nine million households will see their income taxes actually go down.”

Other complaints answered include “The government hates businesses”, “Businesses are drowning under high employment taxes”, “The government hates families” and “Europe is in charge”.

All these negative assertions are answered under the hashtag #FiersdelaFrance (Proud of France).

To the question “France is doomed, let’s get the hell out of here,” the government responds: “We are the world’s fifth biggest economy, the world’s top tourist destination, the third most popular destination for foreign students and the country that has the best tax breaks to help innovation.

“Forty percent of researchers at the (publicly-funded) National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) are foreigners, we got two Nobel Prizes this year, our 1,200 public museums welcome around 62 million visitors every year. Should I continue? There is every reason to be #ProudOfFrance.”

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