MP Marie-Christine Dalloz calls on former prime ministers to reduce their expenses, which reached 1.23 million euros in 2023. These costs include allowances and benefits such as a private secretary and a company car.
Former Prime Ministers called upon to show restraint. In a note to the finance bill, consulted by our colleagues at Politico, Right Republican MP Marie-Christine Dalloz calls on former Prime Ministers to measure their spending. And this “for the sake of setting an example with regard to France’s financial situation”, according to this member of the Finance Commission.
When a Prime Minister leaves his post, as Gabriel Attal did on September 5 after a little over six months at Matignon, certain advantages are granted to him by the State. And if the decree of September 20, 2019 governing the situation of former Prime Ministers allowed Emmanuel Macron to restrict future invoices, the advantages remain substantial.
Significantly increasing expenses
Politico estimated that the overall rating in 2023 amounted to 1.23 million euros. An amount up 27% compared to 2022. The podium is made up of Dominique de Villepin (198,000 euros), Jean-Pierre Raffarin (168,000 euros) and Lionel Jospin (162,000 euros).
Laurent Fabius, president of the Constitutional Council, Elisabeth Borne, deputy for Calvados, Gabriel Attal, deputy for Hauts-de-Seine, and Edouard Philippe, mayor of Le Havre do not have access to these resources since they each exercise a public function or a parliamentary mandate.
Three months of compensation under conditions
When a Prime Minister resigns, it is possible for him to receive severance pay equivalent to his monthly salary, i.e. a little more than 15,000 euros.
However, the payment of this severance pay is subject to conditions. Firstly, contrary to popular belief, the latter is not paid for life but within a maximum period of three months after Matignon’s departure.
Secondly, the outgoing Prime Minister must be without paid activity, including parliamentary mandate. Gabriel Attal, who regained his seat as deputy following his resignation from Matignon, therefore did not receive this compensation.
Finally, the former tenant of the Matignon hotel must be in compliance with his declarations of assets and interests with the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP). As soon as these conditions are no longer met, the compensation is no longer paid.
Lifetime police protection
In addition to this potential salary compensation, a former Prime Minister can also claim police protection for life, if he wishes.
The former head of government is not the only minister who can claim it. Those of Foreign Affairs, the Interior, Justice and the Armed Forces (Defence) are concerned because these are sovereign functions.
A car with driver
Another unconditional advantage is the provision of a company car with driver. This privilege granted to former Prime Ministers is guaranteed for life.
The decree did not modify the indefinite provision of a company vehicle, a driver and the costs relating to this car. Eleven people out of the 15 living former Prime Ministers are affected by these resources: Edith Cresson, Edouard Balladur, Alain Juppé, Lionel Jospin, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Dominique de Villepin, François Fillon, Jean-Marc Ayrault, Manuel Valls, Bernard Cazeneuve and Jean Castex.
A private secretary
Last advantage for a former French Prime Minister, the possibility of having a personal assistant. However, this privilege comes with conditions.
The provision of a private secretary is now valid for a maximum period of ten years or until they turn 67 and not for life. But, this decree ultimately only concerns a few former ministers and those who ceased their functions before September 22, 2019 will be able to benefit from it until 2029 without the slightest age limit.
The former tenant of Matignon must have left his position less than ten years ago and be under 67 years old. Nor should he benefit from a similar advantage due to a national mandate, a local mandate or a position in the public service.
