The interior minister defends a “satisfactory” budget, while police unions remain vigilant. The 2025 budget proposal for security includes an increase of nearly 600 million euros, bringing the total to 17.3 billion euros. However, there is a pause in the planned increases in police and gendarmerie staff. The overall budget aligns with the commitments outlined in the Law of Orientation and Programming for the Ministry of the Interior (LOPMI).
Despite the increase in the security budget, there is a noted decrease of 100 million euros allocated for immigration. This has sparked discussions between the interior minister and the prime minister regarding a potential budget adjustment. Immigration remains a key priority for Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has made addressing this issue a cornerstone of his agenda. The security implications of immigration are a concern for law enforcement agencies and the government.
Following the budget announcement, police unions expressed their concerns about staffing levels. The secretary general of the Un1té union, Grégory Joron, highlighted the importance of having adequate resources to address various security challenges, including domestic violence, drug trafficking, immigration, and political Islam. Alliance, another police union, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for the 2025 budget to reflect the current security landscape and be increased compared to previous years. The Ministry of the Interior defended its record of fulfilling recruitment targets outlined in the LOPMI, citing the creation of thousands of additional police jobs.
The Ministry of the Interior acknowledged the importance of maintaining adequate staffing levels to address a range of security threats effectively. While the budget proposal for 2025 includes significant funding increases for security, concerns remain about potential gaps in resources allocated for specific areas such as immigration. The interior minister’s emphasis on immigration as a priority indicates the government’s commitment to addressing this issue, despite the budgetary challenges. Police unions continue to advocate for a budget that reflects the evolving security needs of the country.
The overall response to the 2025 security budget proposal has been mixed, with the interior minister defending it as “satisfactory” while police unions express vigilance and concern about staffing levels. The fiscal plan includes a substantial increase in funding for security but also raises questions about the allocation of resources for specific areas such as immigration. Discussions between government officials and union representatives highlight the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to address security challenges effectively. Ultimately, the budget for 2025 will play a crucial role in determining the resources available to law enforcement agencies to maintain public safety and security.
