On the question of public finances, Michel Barnier walks a tightrope with the oppositions, his Macronist allies as well as with his own ministers. Even before the presentation of the budget this Thursday by the tenant of Matignon, Didier Migaud went to the front on Tuesday evening to say all the bad things he thought about the envelope which was going to be devoted to his ministry.
The Justice budget “will not be satisfactory,” said the Minister of Justice before the Law Commission of the National Assembly. “I cannot tell you more,” continued the Minister of Justice, affirming however to be “mobilized” so that “the main commitments are kept, particularly in terms of staffing” of magistrates or even clerks.
“-487 million for the justice budget”
“We have a problem with the execution of the 2024 budget and we also have a problem with the 2025 budget from the moment the ceiling letter which was sent and which will be taken up, at least initially, by the current government and which will be presented to you, represents -487 million for the justice budget for 2025,” he said.
“I think that the Prime Minister is entirely aware of the priority that must be maintained for the sovereign and I think that his decisions will go entirely in this direction,” added Didier Migaud in response to questions from deputies.
3% objective for the public deficit in 2029
The head of government must present the state budget for 2025 to the Council of Ministers this Thursday. Michel Barnier called for a reduction in the public deficit to 5% next year, before falling below the maximum European threshold of 3% at by 2029, two years later than what was promised by the previous government.
In his speech handing over power to Didier Migaud on September 23, Éric Dupond-Moretti stressed that it was “essential” that the law sanctifying the justice budget be “respected”, in particular to allow the planned hiring of 1,500 additional magistrates, 1,800 clerks, more than 1,100 contract workers and the continuation of the plan to build 18,000 additional prison places. Traveling to Dijon last Friday, the new minister promised to “ensure that justice is always considered a priority”, despite public finances “more deteriorated than expected”.
