The Metropolitan Council, the first in 2017, took place in a calm context thanks to the essential contribution of Christian Estrosi, who led the proceedings with calmness and serenity, avoiding any verbal aggression towards the opposition.
Moreover, the opposition, being largely outnumbered, can only signify its presence through criticisms of the various proposed deliberations.
And then, as we well know, prejudices are stronger than the truth!
In any case, all the better for the respect of democracy and its operating rules (the majority and opposition are essential and must function in a balanced way) and for the quality of debates where everyone can express their position without showing animosity.
Even the traditional tirades of Christian Estrosi against the government, which he sees as responsible for all evils, have lost their sharp tone: it is true that the upcoming electoral deadlines, approaching fast, should close this so-detrimental term (according to him) and put the national political situation back on the tracks of virtuosity (needless to say).
In short, as the English say, we will move “from the dark to the light,” and how can we not be happy about it?
The central point of the morning was the discussion on the guidelines of the 2017 preventive budget, which will have to be voted on at the next session.
As every year, two positions clashed: one, that of the metropolitan president and his team, aims to maintain the course on the triptych they consider virtuous: stabilized and unchanged taxation, investments to support economic development (east-west tramline, Cagnes-sur-Mer purification plant, beautification and security works), increasing tax revenues (+3% in 2016 over 2015) due to the positive trend of the local economy.
The other keeps criticizing projects that have the characteristics of a prince’s actions, pointing out and denouncing an increasingly massive debt (it will exceed 1.4 billion euros in 2017), which will eventually lead to a detrimental imbalance for the city’s finances.
Both sides give a partisan interpretation of the facts and figures, sometimes using arguments that challenge the doctrinal body of economics, which, while not an exact science, is at least a discipline with rules.
While waiting for better times, squaring the circle involves mastering operating costs (primarily by reducing workforce, 1 out of 2 retirements will not be replaced, and digitizing all administrative functions to gain productivity), returning direct investments (airport) and indirect investments (territorial attractiveness), a favorable-rate indebtedness benefiting from loan repayment), compensation for the sharp decrease in State grants through increased aid from the Region (173 million euros in the Region/metropolis 2016-2018 plan plus other ad-hoc funding… having a Nice-native president of this local authority is not without its utility!), access to national and European funds for specific projects (a few million here and there)…
If Christian Estrosi does not hesitate to display his self-satisfaction, his opponents, this time united despite their ideological differences, are less generous with praise and, before voting against the proposed resolution, described this budget orientation report as “a political propaganda document” (Patrick Allemand), while Marie-Christine Arnautu defined certain passages as “empty and sonorous monuments,” quoting nothing less than Chancellor Metternich.
After these verbal jousts, the annual sustainable development report went almost unnoticed. In any case, after reading, it seems that the situation is being attended to, and the results are improving.
Can we believe that ecological consciousness has gained its rights in political action? And in the near future, an ecology without the need for ecologists, because everyone and everything will be one?
The other most significant deliberations:
The Metropolis will participate with 10 other partners in the European consortium Risknat for an Alcotra project on natural risks.
A new organization for film productions with the creation of a welcoming office for productions associated with communal delegates: will the Nice Metropolis become the new Hollywood?
Buyers of electric cars, under certain conditions, will receive a subsidy of 2000 euros.
The economic assistance fund for businesses that suffered damage after the July 14 attack will be extended to a larger area (+15%) than previously covered.
