The increase in budgets for the Elysée Palace and Parliament despite austerity measures: Laurent Saint-Martin refers the decision to parliamentary debate. Laurent Saint-Martin, questioned about the increase in funding allocated to the presidency, the National Assembly, and the Senate in the 2025 budget proposal, while the government is asking for “efforts” from many sectors, emphasized that all these budgets will be subject to parliamentary approval. He stated that if the parliamentary debate determines that funding for institutions should be handled differently, it will be up to the parliamentarians to decide. Saint-Martin acknowledged the debate surrounding this issue, emphasizing the need for strong institutions and representatives who can effectively perform their duties.
The 2025 budget proposal presented by the government includes an increase in funding for the Elysée Palace to 125.7 million euros, up from the 122.6 million euros allocated in the 2024 budget law. This represents a 3 million euro increase, accounting for a 2.5% rise in the budget, which is higher than the overall price increase expected in 2025 according to the legislative text (1.8% average inflation). The increases in funding for the National Assembly and the Senate, raised from 607.6 million to 618 million euros (+1.7%) and 353.5 million to 359.5 million euros (+1.7%) respectively, are lower than the average inflation rate.
The presidency clarified to Agence France-Presse that it had voluntarily presented its budget projections to the Ministry of Finance for the upcoming year and applied the inflation rates set by the Ministry to the budgets for operations and investments (1.6%) and salaries (3.1%). The funding dedicated to the President’s activities for the following year will remain unchanged, with the Elysée stating that the budget increase for 2025 has been reduced by four times compared to the previous year, when the budget grew by 12 million euros.
The decision to increase funding for the Elysée Palace and Parliament has sparked debate and questioning. While the government is asking for austerity measures in various sectors, the proposed increase in budgets for key institutions has raised concerns among the public. However, the government emphasizes the importance of having strong and effective institutions to support the needs of the French people. Ultimately, the decision on budget allocations will be left to the parliamentarians, who will have the final say during the parliamentary debate on the matter.
In conclusion, the debate over the increase in budgets for the Elysée Palace and Parliament reflects a larger issue of balancing financial needs with fiscal responsibility. While the government is calling for austerity measures in different areas, the proposed increase in funding for key institutions is seen as necessary to ensure the functioning of the government. The final decision on budget allocations will rest with the parliamentarians, who will have the opportunity to review and adjust the proposed budgets during the parliamentary debate. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that institutions have the necessary resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively while also being mindful of the need to manage public finances responsibly.
