While the government advocated the need to make numerous savings, the Elysée wanted to set an example by renouncing a highly criticized measure.
As part of the finance bill for 2025, the government has set a target of 60 billion euros in savings, with Michel Barnier advocating budgetary rigor. However, a budget increase of 2.5% was planned for the presidency’s appropriations, from 122.6 million to 125.7 million. This announcement caused controversy, especially since it was higher than the overall price increase forecast for 2025 (1.8% on average). “This increase is not understandable for our fellow citizens,” even criticized the Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, on BFMTVbelieving that “everyone must make an effort”.
The Elysée therefore reacted and assured, in a press release, that Emmanuel Macron “wants the Presidency of the Republic to set an example”. The Palace has therefore decided not to increase this allocation next year, allowing a saving of three million euros compared to the announced budget. “It is normal for everyone to take their part. It is not a question of incriminating the functioning of this or that institution, but I think that it is a decision which will be well received by our fellow citizens, in a context where we “We are asking for significant efforts,” said government spokesperson Maud Bregeon.
The Elysée also, in 2023, exceeded its allocation of 8.3 million euros, which caused a cash drawdown. The Court of Auditors then called on the Palace to “restore its financial balance” with “significant efforts” from 2024.
An effort also in Parliament
According to theAFPthe presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate took a similar decision, renouncing the increase in their state allocation to “participate in the effort asked of all to restore public finances”. This must still be validated by Parliament during the examination of the finance bill, but should allow savings of around 16 million euros for the two chambers (10 million for the Assembly and 6 for the Senate).
If the Elysée and the chambers will not see any increases, others will see their budgets drop. In the 2025 draft budget, regions, departments and municipalities will have to make a budgetary effort of 5 billion euros next year. Budget cuts at the ministry level are also planned.