As soon as he returned from the meeting of the French Department that made it possible to obtain financial guarantees from the Prime Minister, Jean-Luc Gleyze returned to the very difficult budget equation in his community. The President (PS) Department of Gironde faces an operational deficit of 101 million euros in 2025, or 5.6% of its total budget. A historic slippage. This Monday he received the opinion of the regional accounts chamber (CRC) of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the concoction promises to have a devastating impact on the largest metropolitan department.
At the prefect’s request, the CRC has been working for a month with the community to map out the budget’s trajectory. “ THAT Departments now have the choice between being placed under supervision or some form of supported action within the framework of pathways established and controlled by the regional chamber of accountants”he explained in mid-October Tribune Vincent Léna, president of the Regional Accounts Chamber of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Savings of 47 million euros starting in 2026
It is therefore recommended to reduce operating costs by 73 million euros in three years. With a first major effort of 47 million euros starting in 2026 which will be added to 14 million euros in 2027 then 12 million euros in 2028.
But even if financial judges have clearly established “how much,” they still leave the choice of “how” to elected officials in the department. “We will vote on December 1 on a return to balance plan that will determine the nature of the austerity that we will decide based on our political preferences.”emphasized Jean-Luc Gleyze. However, these options will once again be submitted to the regional audit chamber as it will issue an opinion within fifteen days. “Negative opinions will result in guardianship, which we certainly want to avoid,” determine elected officials.
If all parameters have not been finalized, the main points are already known. The society plans to reduce PCH (disability compensation benefits) expenditures by approximately 20%, which is higher than the average for other departments, in particular by strengthening controls and rejecting certain extra-legal practices. The government will also reduce their salaries to return to 2021 levels, cut the “consequences” of subsidies to associations and optimize the spending of its satellite organizations.
At the same time, investment will also be severely restricted, dropping back to around 100 million euros per year, compared with 130 million euros in 2025, and limited to security measures and commitments that have been made legally.
Budgeting and accounting practices for review
“Behind this budget data are decisions that directly impact people’s daily lives, the functioning of associations, and the order of the economy through public procurement”underlines Jean-Luc Gleyze. He first pointed out the consequences of limited departmental spending increases and falling revenues, particularly those stemming from a real estate market that has fallen by 210 million euros in two years. But they have also had to drop a number of proactive measures in terms of aid to municipalities, digital technology or even support for a long-term zero unemployment program in the Territory.
This refocusing on mandatory skills is what the DPRD is asking for, and this is also regrettable “budgeting and accounting practices that distort the sincerity of elected officials’ accounts and information”.
