After Michel Barnier’s announcements, these former Prime Ministers will have to tighten their belts

POLITICS – “Exes” who are still just as expensive. While state finances have been scrutinized to achieve the 40 billion savings desired by the Barnier government, expenses linked to the benefits of former heads of government have not gone unnoticed. And will not escape the blows of the plane, said the current tenant of Matignon.

Michel Barnier assumes: between the debt ” amazing “ and the deficit « record » of France, efforts must be asked of all French people. Are – among others – concerned: the most profitable large companies, the ministries whose credits will be reduced and the “state lifestyle” as a whole with, in this category, the envelopes allocated to former Prime Ministers. “I am thinking, for example, of asking former ministers and former prime ministers to make an effort”declared the head of government on TF1.

As a reminder, former heads of government are entitled to a “ material and personal support » framed by a decree taken in 2019. The text provides that they can have access “at their request” to a private secretary for a maximum period of 10 years, as well as to a vehicle and a driver whose expenses are covered by the State, this time for an unlimited period.

Some people benefit from these advantages (much) more than others. According to a note to the finance bill written by MP DR Marie-Christine Dalloz and spotted by Politico11 former Prime Ministers cost the State 1.42 million euros in 2023, up compared to 2022. Among the biggest spenders: Jean-Pierre Raffarin (€167,467), Dominique de Villepin (€197,539 ) and at the very top of the ranking Bernard Cazeneuve, whose costs covered by the State for the year 2023 amount to 201,387 euros.

“Lead by example” to get the budget accepted by public opinion

Note that these expenses are not correlated to the duration of the lease in Matignon, Bernard Cazeneuve still being today the most short-lived Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic but also therefore the most expensive. At the bottom of the ranking, we find Jean-Marc Ayrault (81,271 euros) and especially Jean Castex (3,607 euros).

Michel Barnier did not mention any names. Because for the Prime Minister, the issue is not so much to pin down his predecessors or to make savings on their backs – they will in any case be minimal compared to other levers of action. No. What matters is “acceptability” of the budget by the French, recognized government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on franceinfo this Wednesday, November 27. And ” for an effort budget to be acceptable, the French must have the feeling that this effort is fairly and equitably distributed”.

“It is a measure which may appear symbolic but which is important. At a time when we are asking companies to make efforts, when electricity bills are not being reduced as much as expected, when we are asking ministries to make efforts, it is normal for everyone to lead by example.she justifies. To the wise.