Invited to the 72nd congress of mayors of Marne, this Saturday, November 16, 2024 in Châlons-en-Champagne, Catherine Vautrin returned to an episode which had aroused the indignation of many actors in local politics. “I know that the first subject on which you expect me is that of the budget”thus addressing the elected officials of Marne, in particular Franck Leroy, the president of the association of mayors of Marne whose moral report also mentioned the subject. The one who is also president of the Grand Est region echoed this in The union.
Angry local elected officials
As a reminder: at the beginning of September, a letter signed by Bruno Le Maire and Thomas Cazenave, then resigning ministers of Economy and Finance for one, and Public Accounts for the other, had provoked the anger of local elected officials.
In this letter addressed to the finance committees of the National Assembly and the Senate, they pointed out the responsibility of local authorities in the poor health of public finances. According to them, the “main risk” for the public accounts for the year 2024 was linked to “ an extremely rapid increase in community spending » can « downgrade the 2024 accounts by 16 billion euros “. Enough to widen France's public deficit a little further.
We must look to limit spending and this requires a national surge
« Never, ever, will I say that mayors are responsible for the state deficit », said the Minister of Partnership with the Territories and Decentralization and former President of Greater Reims during her speech at the end of the congress. And on the sum of 16 billion euros put forward by the former Minister of the Economy, Catherine Vautrin said: “This was only an estimate, with experts agreeing that it is not accurate. On the other hand, what is fair is the state of public finances of our country whose debt amounts to 3 228 billion euros. With an annual cost of this debt for 2024, of 55 billion euros. »
“This is the 2e state budget behind National Education and if it continues like this, it could become the 1st state budget. This requires a cut in spending! »
The minister was clear: “We French are accustomed to public spending. In France, public debt represents 57% of national wealth, elsewhere in Europe it is 49%. We must look to limit spending and this requires a national surge. »
The finance bill for 2025 which is currently being discussed in Parliament provides for savings of five billion euros for communities. “In 2023, the civil servant index represented 3 billion euros and support for categories C, 800 million euros. This already represents 3.8 billion euros” detailed Catherine Vautrin.
