after two months at the Overseas Ministry, what is François-Noël Buffet’s assessment?

Following the motion of censure voted this Wednesday by the National Assembly, Michel Barnier presents the resignation of his government this Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to Emmanuel Macron who is due to speak at 8 p.m. this evening on television.

Among the resigning members, François-Noël Buffet. Appointed last September 21 to the Ministry of Overseas Territories, he was a little known to overseas politicians and in particular to Caledonians: president of the Senate Law Committee since 2020, this LR senator from Rhône had notably led an information mission of the Upper House devoted to the Caledonian question.

It was in New Caledonia that the new tenant of rue Oudinot made his first trip from October 16 to 18, 2024, to assess the situation five months after the start of the riots which devastated the Caillou.

At the end of this marathon visit, François-Noël Buffet took issue with the issue of the electorate, advocating “the return to dialogue” : “Tell you now what will happen? No, I can’t. This is not how we want to operate.” He nevertheless made financial announcements:

• the extension of partial unemployment until December;
• 100% State support for the reconstruction of schools;
• 500 million euros of State guarantee on the loan requested from the French development agency (AFD), a sum subsequently increased to 770 million then one billion subject to the 2025 budget being adopted;
• secondly, the creation of an envelope of 80 million euros to finance the reconstruction of public buildings.

The economic world was disappointed by his statements. “Ads without money, unfortunately, they will remain ads“, nuanced Stéphane Yoteau, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New Caledonia.

As for the political sphere, it deplored a response “insufficient“even humiliating:”In reality, what is planned is to lend us money to repay what the State advanced to us last year. It’s not serious“, launched Philippe Gomès de Calédonie ensemble (non-independence center-right party).

This trip had in any case allowed the Minister for Overseas Territories to become aware of the seriousness of the Caledonian situation since last November 19, heard by the Senate Law Committee, he had wanted to send a message in anticipation of the debates on the 2025 budget.

I implore you, let’s ignore people’s problems and prioritize the interests of New Caledonia and our compatriots. We have no possibility of making a mistake, [ni] to have the luxury of waiting.

François-Noël Buffet

In the Senate

It was from New Caledonia that he tackled the other burning overseas issue: the mobilization against the high cost of living in Martinique. It was in fact during his trip to the Caillou that an agreement was signed to reduce food prices by almost 20%.

We certainly remember his curt response, via camera, to the members of the RPPRAC who called for him to come to the island: “Don’t put pressure on me, it’s generally the opposite effect that occurs“.

©newcaledonia

Of course, given the urgency of the situation, he traveled to Martinique from November 11 to 14. Marked by the images of extreme violence, he met the president of the local authority of Martinique Serge Letchimy and the mayors, who came away satisfied with these exchanges, constructive according to the first, operational according to the second. He had also listened to the grievances of farmers and fishermen without making any announcements.

François-Noël Buffet had above all confirmed the implementation of the 20% price reduction from 1^is January 2025 and that discussions could extend to other articles. Sensitive to the question of purchasing power, he also spoke out,during his hearing by the Senate Laws Committee, in favor of holding a “Cost of Living Oudinot”.

Despite himself, François-Noël Buffet is also the minister who had to face budget cuts. Indeed, in the finance bill (PLF) for 2025, the government intended to reduce overseas credits by 250 million euros, a drop of 9%, while the latter had increased for four years. To the question of Overseas the 1st during an exclusive interview, “Will you be able to save your budget?“, the Overseas Minister replied: “I hope so, in any case, I’m doing everything to.” This project was to be presented on December 20, it remains to be seen whether it will really be presented and by whom.

François-Noël Buffet’s record is therefore not so meager considering the length of time he remained in office: two visits in two months. He is the second minister of the Macron era to have remained in office for such a short time, just behind Yaël Braun-Pivet who just spent a month at the Montmorin hotel before running for the presidency of the National Assembly in 2022 .

Apart from Elisabeth Borne who ensured the transition for a few days between Yaël Braun-Pivet and Jean-François Carenco, there are already seven ministers in charge of Overseas to have succeeded one another under Emmanuel Macron. And unless the latter resigns, an 8^e should soon be appointed under his presidency. Unheard of under the Fifth Republic.