In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a new generation of mayors who think differently

Since Tuesday and until Thursday, November 21, the national congress of mayors of France is being held in Paris with a leitmotif which cannot be ignored: local elected officials are angry at the government which plans to charge 5 billion euros to the finances of local authorities as part of the next budget.

“The atmosphere is ‘caliente’ (laughs). There is anger, but there is no resignation. That's what's important. It is said that the State must finance 10 billion euros in savings, and half is allocated to communities. This is not fair, reasonable and serious“, says Camille Galtier, mayor of Manosque present in Paris for these three days of congress, who considers, despite everything, that efforts must be made at the local level: “We must participate because France is our country, and if our country falters, we will all falter. President Larcher (of the Senate, Editor's note) announced that it was necessary to return to 2 billion euros in savings for communities. If it ends between the two, that is to say at 3 or 3.5 billion euros, we will have found a rather virtuous balance“.

A new generation of mayors between 30 and 40 years old

This is a speech that stands out somewhat among the mayors, because “some don't want to participate at all“, concedes the Manosquin elected official. It's this different vision”compared to our elders” which Camille Galtier wanted to defend with Arnaud Murgia, mayor of Briançon, and eight other young local elected officials from different territories of France, with Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Partnership with the Territories and Decentralization of France.