Efforts of everyone, including their predecessors. In the midst of a political storm, Michel Barnier, who is looking for savings in all directions, asks the former prime ministers this Wednesday afternoon on TF1 to “make efforts” to “be more sober.”
If the current tenant of Matignon was careful not to give precise figures about a possible planning, the figures set out in a report by the Les Républicains (LR) deputy, Marie-Christie Dalloz, dated last October, should give him grain to grind.
Rates increase by 11%
State expenses linked to the former heads of government still alive (currently there are 15) increased by 11% in 2023. They amount in total to 1.42 million euros in 2023. These costs do not take into account the new expenses related to Gabriel Attal and Élisabeth Borne.
In fact, former prime ministers benefit from having some of their expenses covered. Among these benefits we find a company vehicle, driver, full gas tanks and a private secretary.
However, the rule does not apply to those who still have an elected mandate or a position in senior public administration. For example, Édouard Philippe, current mayor of Le Havre, does not benefit from this type of service. The same goes for Laurent Fabius, president of the Constitutional Council or even Jean Castex, head of the RATP.
De Villepin and Cazeneuve among the most costly for public finances
Among those who spend the most is Dominique de Villepin, who spent no less than 191,252 euros on personnel costs and 6,287 euros on car costs in 2023. Together with whom he offers his “geopolitical advice in France for abroad”, as he explained in BFMTV last February. , we also find Bernard Cazeneuve.
The former Prime Minister who became a lawyer at August Debouzy, one of the most prestigious firms in Paris, cost taxpayers 201,387 euros. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who usually plays the role of emissary between France and Chinese companies, is also not far behind. He spent 167,467 euros, neck and neck with Lionel Jospin (162,012 euros).
François Fillon, still in trouble with Justice in the framework of the procedure for the fictitious employment of his wife Pénélope Fillon, mobilized 125,998 euros, while Manuel Valls, who recently worked for Bahrain, according to information from Médiapart, cost 142,599 euros.
A system limited to 67 years for former prime ministers from 2019
To benefit from this type of advantage, you must request it from Matignon services. A decree published in 2019 under the auspices of Édourd Philippe also provides that the person in charge of the private secretariat of the former prime ministers will receive remuneration from state funds “for a maximum period of ten years” from his departure from Matignon.
This system is also limited to 67 years, the maximum retirement age under French law.
But this framework does not affect former prime ministers who passed through Matignon before 2019. The latter benefit, without age limit and for the next ten years, from a car, a driver and a private secretary. Édith Cresson, prime minister in the early 1990s, cost, for example, 154,730 euros.
Source: BFM TV
