With a significant drop of 9%, (250 million euros), the budget announced Thursday October 10 for overseas territories in 2025 stands at 2.49 billion euros, two-thirds dedicated to exemptions from social security contributions. intended to support employment. The program to support business competitiveness increases by 100 million euros, but that of living conditions decreases by around 300 million euros, indicates Christian Baptiste, socialist deputy of Guadeloupe, special budget rapporteur.
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“We are asking for at least stability, taking into account the deficit of structuring equipment which persists in the overseas territories, the high cost of living, and the challenges of territorial continuity”specifies the parliamentarian, who pleads to protect “exceptional measures exempting overseas territories from the effort required of communities”. The executive has committed to ensuring that twenty departments are spared from reductions in operating expenses, including those of the Antilles, Guyana, Réunion and Mayotte.
Not enough to satisfy the opposition. With one voice, the deputies La France insoumise (Jean-Hugues Ratenon and Perceval Gaillard) and Rassemblement national (Joseph Rivière) from La Réunion thus co-signed a letter to Prime Minister Michel Barnier on October 3 to demand that the department be exempt from the effort announced on retirees’ pensions.
“An effort of national solidarity”
The budget of the Ministry of Overseas Territories only represents a modest part (around 10%) of public spending in favor of overseas territories, and the government highlights its efforts as part of other state missions. But concerns are growing, at the dawn of a massive reconstruction plan for New Caledonia – for which 400 million euros in immediate aid have already been granted since mid-May. In the midst of a revolt against the high cost of living in Martinique, the display of a drop in credits attracts strong criticism. “We are asking for an effort of national solidarity, shared by the large distribution groups which have formed empires in our territories”supports Béatrice Bellay, socialist deputy from Martinique.
Bercy underlines in its presentation of the finance bill that 400 million euros are programmed for the second generation of overseas convergence contracts (new name for plan contracts). Or even that “appropriations remain at a high level, 184 million euros for the single budget line which supports housing”.
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