The Minister of the Interior defended a “satisfactory” budget, while police unions remain vigilant. The proposed budget for 2025 in terms of security includes an increase of nearly 600 million euros, but a pause on staff increases. Minister Bruno Retailleau considers it “satisfactory” as it aligns with the budget commitments of the Lopmi (law on the orientation and programming of the Ministry of the Interior). The budget for 2025 reveals a 587 million euro increase in security funding, reaching 17.3 billion euros, but also indicates a halt in planned increases in police and gendarme staff. The Lopmi plans to allocate an additional 15 billion euros to the Ministry of the Interior over five years (2023-2027), with 8,500 additional police and gendarme officers, as well as the creation of 238 gendarmerie brigades.
While the budget for 2025 has been described as satisfactory overall, there are concerns regarding immigration funding, which is expected to decrease by 100 million euros. There have been discussions between Minister Retailleau and Prime Minister Michel Barnier to address this budget adjustment. Immigration has been made a priority by the Minister, and it remains a point of contention. In light of the budget announcement, police unions were received at Beauvau for discussions on Friday. Union representatives expressed concerns about staffing levels, emphasizing the importance of adequate resources to address various security challenges, such as domestic violence, drug trafficking, immigration, and political Islam.
The Minister’s emphasis on immigration issues has drawn attention, with unions calling for a budget in 2025 that reflects the growing security challenges. The Alliance union delegate, Eric Henry, highlighted the need for an increased budget compared to 2024 to address these issues effectively. The Ministry of the Interior defended its record by noting that 65% of planned recruitments for security forces outlined in the Lopmi have been implemented, including the creation of approximately 3,000 additional police jobs out of 3,900 planned. The Ministry underscores the importance of fulfilling staffing needs to effectively address security concerns.
In response to concerns raised by police unions about the staffing and budget allocations for 2025, Minister Retailleau has emphasized the importance of fulfilling commitments made under the Lopmi. While the budget increase is seen as a positive step, there are ongoing discussions about the allocation of funds for immigration and other security priorities. The Ministry of the Interior continues to engage with stakeholders to address concerns and ensure that resources are allocated effectively to meet the challenges ahead. Despite differing views on specific allocations, there is a shared commitment to enhancing security measures and addressing key issues such as immigration, drug trafficking, and domestic violence.
