Sarah Knafo, a 33-year-old Member of the European Parliament and general secretary of the hard-right French party Reconquest, has found unexpected success with her new book critiquing France’s fiscal policies. Since its release on September 2, her essay *Le Casse du Siècle* (The Heist of the Century) has topped French bestseller lists, selling over 200,000 copies—a stark contrast to the modest sales of recent works by established political figures.

Knafo’s work centers on what she describes as France’s excessive taxation, sprawling government expenditure, and bureaucratic red tape, which she argues have hindered economic growth and weakened public services. Framing her critique as a criminal investigation, she accuses the state of effectively stealing citizens’ money through an overburdened fiscal system that “levies everyone to give back to no one.” She calls for sweeping reforms, including a £140 billion annual cut in public spending, significant reductions in the civil service workforce, the scaling back of welfare benefits—especially for immigrants without contribution histories—and the privatization of the state broadcaster.

During a recent book signing in London, Knafo emphasized what she views as a culture of dependency fostered by the French social security system. She contended that assurances of state support have led some citizens to make “rational” choices favoring welfare over work, undermining a historical national work ethic. “It’s the perverted system which creates the vice,” she said, challenging common Anglo-Saxon stereotypes about French laziness.

Her book has drawn criticism from political observers who warn that such anti-tax rhetoric echoes sentiments responsible for previous social unrest in France. Jean-Yves Camus, co-director of the Observatory of Political Radicalism, suggested that Knafo’s arguments tap into long-standing tensions historically linked to upheaval, including the French Revolution.

While Knafo denies *Le Casse du Siècle* is a political manifesto, its proposals align closely with the economic program recently unveiled by Marine Le Pen, the far-right National Rally candidate leading polls ahead of next year’s presidential election. Le Pen’s platform now emphasizes deregulation, tax cuts, and eliminating what she calls “120 ridiculous taxes,” marking a notable shift from her past support for higher public spending. Knafo dismissed Le Pen’s approach as superficial, accusing her rival’s party of failing to grasp the deeper fiscal issues and of backing tax increases in practice.

Knafo’s political ambitions are intertwined with those of Éric Zemmour, the founder and leader of Reconquest, as well as her partner, although Zemmour’s prospects remain uncertain following a modest 7 percent share of the 2022 presidential vote.

According to OECD data, France’s tax revenue reached 43.5 percent of GDP in 2024, second only to Denmark at 45.2 percent. Knafo argues that despite this heavy fiscal load, the quality of public services falls short of expectations, fueling widespread public frustration.

The essay’s commercial success, coupled with its sharp critique of fiscal policy, underscores a significant debate within France about the sustainability of its welfare state and the limits of government intervention in the nation’s economy as the country prepares for the upcoming presidential election.