The session of the Metropolitan Council for the examination of the 2018 budget had been classified as routine after the conference held on March 5, with the presentation by the President of the community of the key figures (an investment plan of 420 million euros for the period 2018-2020) and the announcement of the introduction of a new tax (euphemistically called “tax harmonization”) on built property at the rate of 6.4%, which is expected to generate 63 million euros, or two-thirds of the reduction in State grants – 80 million accumulated – over the 5 years of Mr. Hollande’s government.
An example of how easy it is to criticize while constantly providing oneself with a reason to be lenient towards oneself, even while behaving in the same way and doing the same things.
This “tax harmonization” was motivated by the need to maintain, or even increase, the level of investment to boost the local economy and create the financial conditions to fuel the virtuous circle of attractiveness-investment-growth-employment.
In fact, the economic doctrine at the base of this supposed theory is a bit more complex, but, as economists themselves explain, conviction is an important condition for success; why not strongly believe in such success?
A few days later, socialist elected officials, in turn, denounced the “lies and repudiation” of the announced budget, highlighting the debt figures*, idolized according to them, and the introduction of the tax while Christian Estrosi had made local fiscal invariance his battle cry (in reality, they had been incremented surreptitiously).
Another grievance was motivated by the sale of shares that the Metropolis holds in the management company of the recently privatized Nice Airports. There, opponents easily reproached Christian Estrosi for this 180% turnaround – motivated by the need to make funds to alleviate debt – from his position at the time when he had passionately opposed it.
So everything had already been said and commented on, and one could expect a classic unfolding of the morning: Christian Estrosi’s political introduction, followed by the illustration of the figures by the “chief treasurer” (whose expertise in the matter is recognized by all) Philippe Pradal, critical intervention by Patrick Allemand (and that of other opposition groups), “technical” reply from the chairman of the Finance Commission, the final by the President of the Metropolis who, depending on his mood, “slapped” his opponents (metaphorically, of course!) with a clear preference for the president of the socialist group, submission of the debate to a vote, and unanimous vote by the majority group.
But yesterday morning the scenario was not followed,
Patrick Allemand first, Olivier Bettati, Benoît Kandel, Marie-Christine Arnautu upset the applecart, accusing Christian Estrosi of rigging the figures, or having indebted the metropolis (and indirectly, also the city), a real thunderclap came with the coordinated speeches of Mrs. D’Intorni (mayor of Rimplas) as the vehement “pasionaria,” Xavier Beck (First Vice-President of the Departmental Council and mayor of Cap d’Ail) as the strategist, Anne Satonnet (Vice-President of the Departmental Council, municipal councillor of Vence), Auguste Vérola (triple cap of municipal councillor of Nice, Vice-President of the DC and especially deputy of the deputy Eric Ciotti for this ousted Estrosi group member), as supplementary officers, plus two or three other mayors of small towns (the good soldiers), who were obviously opposing the introduction of the tax on built property.
While these elected officials were on the offensive in the chamber, their leader Eric Ciotti was circulating a letter in which he invited (one wonders in what capacity) Christian Estrosi to withdraw this deliberation with motivation that bordered on provocation: “This would constitute a new step taken in the unbearable fiscal pressure that weighs on our citizens, both nationally and locally,” and suggested to him “take example from the Department which has mastered a policy of controlling operating expenses.”
No need to ask who was president of this community from 2008 to 2017, and who is the president of the Finance Commission today!
These phrases were contained in a three-page letter in which Eric Ciotti lists the tax increases attributed to Christian Estrosi over the past ten years (just for the record, the two politicians were accomplices in political life, loyal allies and personal friends until about 2/3 years ago!!!).
The blow was well delivered but, obviously, Christian Estrosi had sensed it because the counter-offensive was ready, with the aim of regaining control of the situation and asserting the power balance.
To give substance to it, the debt* issue took a backseat and we were treated to a litany of laudatory declarations about the management of the Metropolis accompanied by demonstrations of loyalty from numerous mayors, sometimes to the point of casting doubt on their sincerity.
Under the amused and astonished eyes of the traditional opponents, a new political group (not formally constituted, but essentially) was born and…ready to battle aggressively.
The long diatribe between supporters of “tax for investment” and those who were against “the tax without saying how to fund the investment” found its conclusion, at least temporarily, in the result of the vote which confirmed Christian Estrosi’s large majority: the deliberation was adopted with 21 votes against and 1 abstention.
Among the mayors, the most important college because the metropolis is a community of freely adhering municipalities, 42 mayors voted for, 6 against, and 1 abstention.
But beyond the figures, remains the political fact and the public act (Eric Ciotti’s letter) that officially initiates the hostilities: the municipal elections (in 2020 or 2021) are still far away and already the artillery is in function.
It just gives an idea of what awaits us!
