2024-12-06 12:00:00
The president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France,which claims to represent 12,000 municipalities,has been unable to contain his exasperation at the turn national political life is taking.“Like many of my colleagues, I am angry”launches Michel Fournier, mayor of Voivres (Vosges), Thursday 5 December, the day after the motion of censure against Michel barnier’s government, adopted by the National Assembly with the votes of the National Rally and the New Popular Front. «The 2025 budgetadds in a press release, it’s just a fake nose for a large number of MPs who behave like spoiled, even dirty, children. They have no ambitions other then their own. »
The first city councilor of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Moudenc (centre-right), regrets it “The alliance of the two extremes[ait] taken away » and he doesn’t hide his concern. Why “this political chaos can only damage our country”consider, believing it “the submission of the entire Socialist Party [PS]yesterday a glorious governing party, today a servant of melancholy, it is a democratic disaster.” The president of the Brittany region,Loïg Chesnais-Girard,distanced himself from the PS when he allied himself with La france insoumise,in 2022.“I am sad about this situation which shows a country that seems paralysed”he confides, calling “all the republican forces” to be together “to allow a way out of the crisis”.
Car “Communities need clear direction”recalls the association of elected representatives Intercommunalités de France, which joins together “almost a thousand” groupings of municipalities. Locally elected officials must complete their budget. A delicate mission until the state has finalized its finances for next year. Many communities are waiting to be determined before finalizing their budget document. On Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron announced that a “special invoice” it would be presented before mid-December in Parliament to guarantee the continuity of the State, after 1 January, until the adoption of the 2025 budget. But this does nothing but postpone decisions and prolong uncertainty for communities.
«Abominable invoice»
Michel Barnier’s financial law envisaged asking them for an effort of 5 billion euros to participate in the recovery of the very degraded French finances. “In the immediate future there is objectively a welcome respite for us”recognizes the mayor of Toulouse. But jean-Luc Moudenc “don’t be optimistic” However. As, remember, “we are plunged into a serious period of political and budgetary uncertainty and because the disappearance of the Barnier government leaves the enormous problem of our country’s public finances intact”.
What are the potential consequences of budget cuts on local governance and community services?
Interview between Time.news Editor and expert on Local Governance
Time.news Editor: welcome, and thank you for joining us today! We’re delving into recent developments in local governance, especially the recent gathering of mayors in the Toulouse metropolitan area. To shed light on this, we have Dr. Sarah Dupont, an expert in public policy and local administration. Dr. Dupont, can you provide us with some context around this gathering?
Dr. Sarah Dupont: Absolutely! The gathering held on November 7, 2024, was meaningful as it brought together mayors from the Toulouse area, including Karine Traval-Michelet, the mayor of Colomiers, and Jean-Luc Moudenc, the mayor of toulouse. They joined forces to protest against the proposed budget cuts by the government led by Michel Barnier. This kind of cross-party collaboration is quite rare and reflects the urgency many local leaders feel about the financial challenges facing their municipalities.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! Why are these budget cuts particularly concerning for these local leaders?
dr. Sarah Dupont: Local governments are often heavily reliant on state funding to support essential services like education, public transportation, and infrastructure. Budget cuts threaten these services, which can lead to a decline in the quality of life for residents.For mayors like Traval-michelet and Moudenc, protecting their constituents’ welfare is paramount, and they see these cuts as a direct threat.
Time.news Editor: It certainly seems like a critical issue. What does this level of cooperation between mayors of different political affiliations say about the current political climate in France?
Dr. Sarah Dupont: This collaboration indicates a growing recognition of the need for unity in local governance. When municipalities face existential threats like budget cuts, political lines tend to blur. Leaders are focusing on pragmatics rather than ideology, which can foster a more collaborative approach to problem-solving. It’s a reminder that local issues frequently enough transcend political divides.
Time.news Editor: Given the current situation, what strategies do you think these mayors might employ to advocate for their budgets?
Dr. Sarah Dupont: One potential strategy is to mobilize public opinion through grassroots campaigns. They might also seek alliances with other mayors across France to amplify their voice. Additionally, engaging with the media to highlight the potential impact of the cuts on everyday life can definitely help garner public support. Ultimately, they will need to demonstrate that investing in local services is crucial for the nation’s overall well-being and economic health.
Time.news Editor: That sounds like a smart approach. Looking ahead, how do you foresee this situation unfolding in the coming months?
Dr. Sarah Dupont: It’s hard to predict, but if the government continues to push for cuts in the face of such united opposition from local leaders, we could see increased tensions. There might be further protests or even calls for reforms in how local budgets are funded. The mayors’ ability to maintain their coalition will be vital in navigating this situation.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Dupont, for your insights into this pressing matter. it’s clear that the collaboration among mayors is a significant development in the fight against budget cuts, and we’ll certainly be keeping an eye on how this situation evolves.
Dr. Sarah Dupont: Thank you for having me! It’s an significant conversation, and I look forward to seeing how local governance continues to adapt in these challenging times.