The massive support for the candidacy for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games with a Renaud Muselier ardent defender of the French Alps in this regional file costed at 1.5 billion, should not make us forget that if the numbers were king this Friday, December 15, during of the plenary assembly of the Southern Region, it was above all to debate the initial 2024 budget.
Its total amount amounts to more than 3.2 billion euros. An increase of 13.4% compared to 2023 which initiated the “100% climate” regional budget cycle.
Difficult context
“This was developed in a difficult context. The Region is very dependent on VAT revenue (which do not collapse since they still appear at +13 million, Editor’s note) and therefore the economic situation. Heating costs for high schools remain high with the increase in megawatts since the war in Ukraine and financial charges are increasing under the effect of interest rates (…) Despite the difficult context, the 2024 budget remains ambitious and prepares the ‘adaptation of the Region to climate change and hosting the Olympic Games’recalled Jean-Pierre Colin, vice-president in charge of finance.
Olympic attraction requires, the first item of expenditure is logically towards transport, mobility and major equipment for a total of 1.07 billion. Next comes the “economy, training and health package” for 440 million and high schools for 292 million, with the aim of continuing their energy renovation.
RN amendments
Two amendments “symbolic”by the admission of the president of the RN group, Franck Allisio, were submitted by the regional minority.
The first concerns communication expenses. “These eleven million should be transferred to more concrete spending close to citizens” argued the opposition group.
“This represents 0.04% of the budget. It’s insignificant! And I can even tell you that in the years to come this communication budget will increase further, if only for the coming of the Olympics!”tackled Jean-Pierre Colin.
Dear gray cards…
An RN amendment rejected just like the second concerning a criticism of “the excessive resources put into the acquisition of tablets for schools even though they are harmful to children”.
“The deployment of this educational tool has been underway since 2019 in the name of the digital transition. The results are largely positive and we have received the support of each high school for this non-mandatory system”replied Mr. Colin.
Another financial workhorse of the RN “for the benefit of households”, the reduction in the tax on registration certificatesthe Region having “one of the most expensive rates in France”.
“Between the erosion of sales and exemptions for “green” vehicles, a shortfall of 165 million is expected for 2024 concerning regional revenues linked to registration documents”notes Jean-Pierre Colin who brushes aside any gesture on rates and even calls for good wishes “the end of exemptions for hybrid vehicles”.
Balancing exercise
The opposition’s overall analysis of the budget will come like a boomerang.
“As we had planned, the milestone of three billion debt has passed. We are the third most indebted region in France”, denounces the president of the RN group Franck Allisio while insisting on the “500 million loans this year”. “This budget is a fine balancing act that will ultimately fall foul of reality,” he finishes.
“You have no structuring criticism of this budget and I regret it because it might move us forward”did not dwell on Pierre-Paul Léonelli, Nice president of the majority group.
Among the other chapters directly concerning the inhabitants of the region, the allocation of one and a half billion euros (+ 20%) for transport, including 384 million for “proximity network” railway.
Saint-Raphaël does not want to pay
Which leads to the “construction site of the century”, the Nouvelle Provence Côte d’Azur Line which promises 23 million additional travelers in our territories by 2035. The Framework Agreement relating to the financing of the works was voted for a first sod announced in 2024.
Ms. Fiol (RN) pointed out that if the intentions to shift to rail as a mode of transport are optimistic with studies counting on 62%, “It is still necessary that ticket prices be compatible with the purchasing power of fellow citizens…”.
Finally, the commune of Saint-Raphaël was singled out by MM. Muselier and De Canson as the only ones absent from the financial round table among the communities affected by these 550km of new roads.
A special film at the end of the session
As was the case at the National Assembly but also on November 30 at the end of the Metropolitan Council of Nice, the film produced by the Israeli army documenting the Hamas attacks of October 7 was screened at the end of the plenary assembly of the regional council this Friday.
Images visible on a voluntary basis from regional elected officials.
