At the Regions of France congress in Strasbourg, representatives of the new government and regional presidents have begun a dialogue. Minister of Territorial Partnership and Decentralization, Catherine Vautrin, announced that there would not be a major decentralization law in the near future due to difficulty in gaining a clear majority in the National Assembly. Despite this, government members are aware of the need to partner with local authorities, as stated by Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie region and of Regions of France. Delga noted that the government officials appeared humble in the face of their tasks, as President Macron had not previously met with regional presidents since 2017.
In the absence of legislative leverage, Delga called for a focus on issues that do not require new laws, such as funding for transportation, streamlining project applications between central administrations and regions, and addressing school orientation. Alain Rousset, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, expressed disappointment in the lack of a major decentralization project, but remains hopeful that the new government – which includes more local elected officials than before – will help move away from recentralization efforts. The conference served as a platform for discussions on how to move forward with regional partnerships and addressing challenges.
The dialogue at the congress highlighted the importance of cooperation between the state and regions, particularly in light of the government’s recognition of the gravity of the current situation. While a grand decentralization law may not be forthcoming immediately, there is a shared understanding of the need to work with local authorities. The new government’s increased representation of elected local officials is seen as a potential positive step in allowing for more collaborative decision-making and a departure from recentralization trends. This shift in approach is seen as necessary in order to effectively address regional issues and foster stronger partnerships.
Despite the absence of a major decentralization law, the congress provided an opportunity for regional representatives to voice their concerns and priorities to the government. Discussions centered around issues such as transportation funding, administrative burdens, and education policies related to school guidance. While the lack of legislative action may be a setback for some, the willingness of government officials to engage in dialogue and acknowledge the challenges ahead signals a potential shift towards more collaborative governance. Moving forward, the emphasis is on addressing immediate issues that do not require new laws, with the hope that this will lay the groundwork for more comprehensive decentralization efforts in the future.
Overall, the congress of Regions of France served as a starting point for a new dialogue between the state and regional authorities. The recognition of the need for stronger partnerships and the government’s willingness to engage with local leaders are positive signs for the future of decentralization efforts. While the absence of a major legislative initiative may be a disappointment for some, the focus on addressing immediate issues and streamlining processes is seen as a pragmatic approach to building trust and cooperation. As regional representatives and government officials continue to work together, the goal is to find common ground and develop effective solutions for the challenges facing regions across France.
