After Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who had cited him as an example in his electoral promises, the Reunionese quality-price shield (BQP) has two new fervent supporters: the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, and his Minister Delegate for Overseas , Jean-Francois Carenco. During a first trip to Reunion on Friday July 8 and Saturday July 9, the government tandem announced that it wanted to extend this system to all overseas departments and regions (DROM). It was created in the overseas territories by the law against the high cost of Victorin Lurel, in 2012, but it is in the island of the Indian Ocean that he knows the most successful model. For 2022, the BQP offers Reunion Island consumers 153 guaranteed products at a ceiling price of 348 euros, according to a “moderation agreement” sign “between the prefecture, the representatives of the local production sectors, large retailers and importers”.
On an island where, according to INSEE, 37% of the population, or 322,000 people, live below the poverty line with inflation of 3.8% in one year and consumer prices 7% higher at 40 % compared to mainland France, Gérald Darmanin and Jean-François Carenco were eagerly awaited on the subject of high cost of living. After discussing with the members of the Observatory of prices, margins and income (OPMR), which brings together elected officials and representatives of trade unions and associations giving an advisory opinion, the Minister Delegate declared that he wanted locally “deepen, widen, enrich the famous basket”. In other words, integrate new products, including services such as telephone and internet subscriptions, and review the price.
At the same time, Jean-François Carenco wants to organize, in Paris, a « Oudinot [nom de la rue où est situé le ministère des outre-mer] against the dear life » for all overseas territories. The Minister Delegate aims to “look from production to the margin, from the trader to transport, importers”. Mr. Carenco will meet “the national and international companies that are on this value chain: supermarkets, shipping companies, suppliers” by asking them “a voluntary commitment”. His goal is to land an agreement at the end of September. ” That would be wonderful “, launched Jean-François Carenco.
“Necessary but not sufficient”
Gérald Darmanin specified that local authorities will be involved in these meetings because of their power to act on local taxation. For example with the special fuel consumption tax which falls into the coffers of the regional councils in the overseas departments (DOM) and not into that of the State. Or even with the dock dues, a tax specific to the overseas departments for imports of goods which is redistributed to local communities. The Minister of the Interior revived the idea of “differentiate the dock dues rate on certain products to fight against the high cost of living and inflation”. A measure that does not pack local communities. In Reunion, the regional council and the departmental council recall that they have just jointly financed a device of 10 million euros to freeze the price of the gas bottle at 15 euros instead of 21.88 euros, current price .
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