Michel Barnier says he is ready to “very significantly reduce the effort” asked of the departments

Faced with the distrust of the presidents of the departmental councils regarding the government's budgetary choices, the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, wanted to reassure them, Friday, November 15, during a speech at the congress of the departments of France, in Angers.

“We are going to significantly reduce the effort required of you », announced the head of government, receiving applause, before adding: “At no time will my mindset be to point fingers at departments. » Announcing a series of avenues for changing the budgetary text, Michel Barnier nevertheless estimated that “the objective [de déficit à 5 % du PIB pour 2025 ] » had to be “preserved”.

The finance bill for 2025 which is currently being discussed in Parliament provides for savings of 5 billion euros for communities. However, according to the Départements de France association, the departments are the stratum of communities most affected, with 44% of the effort, or 2.2 billion euros.

“Oxygen”

On the eve of Michel Barnier's speech, the presidents of right-wing departments had threatened to suspend the payment of active solidarity income (RSA) and to stop taking care of new unaccompanied minors (UMAs). The president of the group of departments of the right, center and independents (DCI) within Departments of France, Nicolas Lacroix, also threatened “to attack the State” in court every time he makes a decision “which impacts the finances of departments without their agreement”.

In response, the Prime Minister announced the implementation, from “early 2025”of a “steering body, shared by the State and the departments, which will make major decisions”. “This body will not only be informed, but I want it to be consulted for any State decision that affects departmental finances”he clarified, referring in particular to the work to be carried out for the creation of a “single social allowance”.

Before local elected officials, the Prime Minister also pleaded for “a change in the way departments are financed”while according to him, “tax leverage has been significantly reduced; to wonder even if it still exists ». “I do not accept that the departments have the feeling of becoming simple operators of the State. This is not what we wanted with the decentralization laws”he recalled. Michel Barnier has expressed his wish to “give back room for maneuver, oxygen, freedom” to the departments, “to restore the meaning of [leur] mission ».