André Laignel (AMF) denounces “a state lie” about the effort required of communities, “an unprecedented purge”

The first deputy vice-president of the Association of Mayors of France believes that the figure of 5 billion budgetary effort, put forward by the government, is “false”.

The budgetary effort requested from local authorities would not amount to 5 billion but rather “at a little more than 11 billion euros in levies and charges”, says André Laignel, mayor of Issoudun (Indre) and first deputy vice-president of the Association of Mayors of France (AMF), guest, Tuesday November 5, on franceinfo. He denounces “a state lie”.

André Laignel says he relies on “calculations made from the finance law” and be “able to demonstrate” that the figure of 5 billion, put forward by the government, is “faux”. For example, he mentions “the elimination of credits for the Green Fund” or even “additional expenses” linked to “the increase in municipal contributions to the municipal staff pension fund”. As president of the local finance committee, the elected official claims to have received the ministers within the framework of this committee and to have told them “that their figure was totally wrong.”

The AMF and six other associations of mayors and intermunicipalities expressed, last Thursday, their “deep concern” faced with the savings requested from communities in the 2025 draft budget, to which they reiterate that they are “opposite”. “We are unable to cope with the financial shock that risks being imposed on us,” warns the chosen one.

“It would be a general breakdown in investments by local authorities, whether regions, departments or municipalities in the coming year,” warns André Laignel. “This would be a risk of recession for our country.”he adds, recalling that “local authorities represent 70% of investments” In France. André Laignel calls for “modify deeply” this finance law which he describes as “unprecedented purge” but fear “that once again democracy is flouted” with recourse to 49.3.