The parliamentary reserve is a budget allocation, granted annually to deputies and senators, so that they can support associations and contribute to the financing of local community projects.
Each elected official is allocated 130,000 euros through their parliamentary group, which they distribute at their discretion to support associations and contribute to the financing of local community projects.
Regularly subject to controversy, the parliamentary reserve allocated to deputies and senators is little known to citizens but well-liked by large local clienteles.
It represents a privilege for the elected officials who use it to engage in clientelism in their favor, constitutes an electoral advantage for the incumbent compared to their competitors, and is a distortion of ethical behavior due to its opaque practice.
On several occasions, there have been attempts to abolish it, but how can one imagine that an organization would self-regulate?
How can we persuade the “deputy-mayor” (or municipal councilor) to refrain from financing their own municipality or electoral supporters?
The final result? With each annual publication, everyone raises their arms, cries scandal… until next time!
Everything continues as before, just like with parliamentary staff members who are family!
Afterwards, people complain because citizens feel deceived and distance themselves from politics or take refuge in anti-system movements.
