The announcements by Christian Estrosi regarding the reduction of local taxes – and to a lesser extent that of Eric Ciotti for the departmental ones (should we imagine there is a preference for the latter?), have triggered a fierce reaction from the leaders of the local “lefts”.
In the absence of electoral consensus, they can only practice minimal opposition in institutional settings, but they have not lost their voice, quite the contrary.
They could be defined as “flatus vocis” but their speech is quite electric…
Patrick Allemand (City Councilor of Nice, Metropolitan Councilor Nice Côte d’Azur): Reduction in local taxes, the great illusion of Christian Estrosi!
The surprise announcement by Christian Estrosi of a double reduction in local taxes is enough to make the population of Nice and the metropolis jump, after the tax bludgeoning he has imposed on them for the past 10 years. I trust them not to be fooled by this smoke and mirrors announcement!
Regarding the reduction in the TEOM (household waste removal tax), it is a decision imposed on him in application of the Auchan ruling which states that the amount of this contribution cannot exceed the cost of the service provided. In short, it cannot be increased to finance other policies, which was the case!
As for the reduction in the city of Nice’s share of the property tax, it will in no way compensate for the creation of the metropolitan property tax, which will increase the total property tax that the citizens of Nice will soon receive by 15%, corresponding to a massive additional levy of 63 million euros, which every year will further lighten the pockets of all metropolitan residents.
Xavier Garcia (First Secretary of the PS 06): Reduction in metropolitan taxes: an insult to the intelligence of voters
A year and a half before the municipal elections, the announcement of the reduction of the waste removal tax and the property tax by the President of the Metropolis appears as an insult to the intelligence of voters.
This reduction, which we would have applauded if it had been the result of rigorous management, indeed comes after multiple successive increases and record debt. It has no logic other than that of shameless electoralism and a tax race with Eric Ciotti, which will leave metropolitan finances a bit more drained.
And everyone knows well that if re-elected, Christian Estrosi will increase taxes again as soon as the polling stations are closed.
Robert Injey (PC Nice): Christian Estrosi mocks the people of Nice!
A few months ahead of the municipal deadlines, his matter of tax reductions is a big sham.
The man is used to such actions. Already in 2014, a major announcement of a reduction in the housing tax from 21.33 to 21.30%! A reduction largely insufficient to offset the increase in tax bases. Worse, the reduction in the general allowance for the main residence from 15 to 10% resulted in a significant increase in taxes effectively paid, by more than 13 million euros.
The creation of the metropolitan property tax in April 2018 represents an additional 63 million euros in revenue that will not be compensated for by the announcement of the reduction in the communal share of the property tax.
As for the reduction in the household waste removal tax (TEOM), it’s simply the result of an overcharge (more than 100 million euros in 2014-2015). A situation that led the courts to order cities like Lille and Lyon to reimburse taxpayers. Reducing the TEOM rate is not C. Estrosi’s choice, it’s a constraint imposed, in fact, by the courts.
In these conditions, the announcements of C. Estrosi are above all smoke and mirrors to try to deceive the people of Nice a little more a few months before the next deadlines. Futile effort!
The people of Nice are not fooled either by the crocodile tears of Eric Ciotti, who, like C. Estrosi, has always voted for measures of social regression…
