Car with driver, furnished premises… soon the end of the advantages of former Presidents of the Republic and Prime Ministers ?

The Senate voted in favor of eliminating benefits for former Prime Ministers and Presidents. (Illustration) MAXPPP – Alexis Sciard

After leaving their place to their successors, former heads of state and Prime Ministers may soon no longer enjoy their benefits.

The Senate said no. Indeed, this Wednesday, January 22, senators adopted an amendment aimed at “removing the envelope intended for expenses relating to former Presidents of the Republic and former Prime Ministers”, indicates the site Public Sénat.

Reduction of 2.8 million euros per year

This amendment was tabled by the centrist senator of Orne Nathalie Goulet as part of the draft finance bill for 2025. The envelope should thus be reduced by 2.8 million euros for the former heads of the executive.

Although the Senate has decided to vote in favor of this deletion, its path is not over since it “must still be retained in the continuation of the parliamentary shuttle to enter into force”.

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Credits that have increased by 11%

But what is this money for?? What advantages are we talking about?? Former tenants and Matignon can thus benefit from a “car with the allocation of a driver and a secretariat if they do not have one within the framework of a parliamentary mandate, a mandate as a local elected official or another public function”.

For those who have left the Élysée for more than 5 years, they have three cabinet members and a service agent (compared to seven and three during his functions), but also “furnished and equipped premises, the rent and costs of which are covered by the State, and the coverage of their expenses for activities related to his former presidential function”, details Public Sénat.

All the more that “between 2022 and 2023, the credits allocated to former Prime Ministers increased by 11%” but that the number of Prime Ministers also increased, notes Hervé Maurey.

“Nobody is at the Restos du cœur”

The advantages of these former politicians have obviously made some members of the Senate react. “Overall, they are not in great need of the Republic, they all have a certain number of pensions and all have consulting positions. I checked, no one is at the Restos du Cœur”, launched Nathalie Goulet.

“When we ask the French to make an effort, they would not understand that the State does not start with itself and by avoiding unnecessary expenses”, judged Senator Michel Canevet.