Senator Alexandra Borchio Fontimp and the president of the Association of Mayors of France, mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, are calling on the government and the French Banking Federation. They denounce the obstacles faced by municipal election candidates in opening a campaign account, which is mandatory in municipalities with more than 9,000 residents.
Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, senator for Alpes-Maritimes, and David Lisnard, president of the AFM and mayor of the city of Cannes, have alerted the Minister of the Economy and Finance as well as the French Banking Federation. Their effort is focused on the difficulties encountered by municipal candidates when they try to open a campaign account. This is required by the Electoral Code to ensure financial transparency. It is also obligatory whenever a municipality exceeds a demographic threshold defined by law.
According to the senator, several banking institutions impose high fees or refuse to open these accounts. Letters to the government and the French Banking Federation mention fees that can reach significant sums. They also refer to unjustified refusals for some candidates. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp underscores that these practices “can act as a concrete barrier to civic engagement and introduce an unwarranted constraint within a democratic process.”
To better assess the extent of the problem, the senator explains that she contacted six institutions. She wanted precise information on the conditions for opening these accounts. From her reports, two banks have refused to open accounts. Four others impose high fees. According to the documents provided, fees could reach 600 euros for opening an account, in addition to a monthly subscription.
The parliamentarian reminds that the law mandates the opening of a bank account, but she argues that the aim of the legislation is clear. The Electoral Code, she writes, “does not intend to make this requirement a financial filter to access the ballot.” She therefore calls for a clarification of the regulatory framework while urging the harmonization of practices to avoid disparate situations depending on regions or institutions.
The Bank of France as a Last Resort
At the Salon des Maires et des Intercommunalités, the senator met François Lefebvre, deputy director-general of the French Banking Federation. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp shared her views and the information gathered. According to the information received, he reminded the possibility of appealing to the Bank of France if an account opening is refused. However, the senator believes that this procedure alone is not sufficient and that “opening an account with a bank to comply with the democratic process should not be an arduous task, especially in light of the democratic crisis and the increasing number of local official resignations.”
The debate goes beyond just the issue of fees. It also touches on citizens’ ability to access an elective office. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp draws a parallel with other recently highlighted obstacles, notably the difficulties some officials face in insuring their offices. “Just as insurers no longer wish to insure electoral offices, I find it unacceptable that it has become so difficult to run for election,” she states in the press release.
For the senator, this observation questions the vitality of democracy. The parliamentarian emphasizes the importance of ensuring easy access to the necessary tools for a campaign. She reiterates that “the vitality of our municipalities and the credibility of our local democracy rely on citizens’ ability to fully participate in public and democratic life,” estimating that “it is urgent to guarantee simple and fair access to the tools necessary to run a campaign.”
This position aims to prompt a response from the state and the banking sector. Both public leaders are requesting concrete measures to limit the cost of opening campaign accounts and harmonize conditions. They thus hope to remove an unnecessary obstacle and ensure equal access to local political life.
