They were at Matignon for only a few weeks: what advantages will Michel Barnier and his ex-ministers be entitled to? ?

After the government's censorship this Wednesday evening, December 4, what will Michel Barnier and his former ministers in office for barely three months be entitled to?? We take stock.

The fall of Michel Barnier's government on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, leaves 39 ministers, junior ministers, and secretaries of state in an uncertain position, with some at risk of finding themselves unemployed depending on Emmanuel Macron's decisions for the future ministerial team. This also raises the question of the cost of compensation for these former members of the government.

Contrary to popular belief, ministers do not have a specific pension or a lifetime salary, recalls René Dosière, president of the Observatory of Public Ethics, quoted by 20 minutes. They lose, upon transfer of power, many benefits linked to their position, such as:

Official housing: limited to 80 m² in Paris, unless they already have a home in the capital. Free travel: first-class train travel and a limited quota of air travel. Chauffeur-driven car and police protection: these benefits generally end with their functions, except for certain ministers who may continue to benefit from police protection for security reasons.

Salary retained for 3 months

The main advantage that former ministers can claim is financial: they keep their salary of 9,940 euros gross per month (compared to 14,200 euros before 2012) for three months, compared to six months before the 2013 law on transparency in public life, explains the website vie-publique.fr.

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Once this three-month period has elapsed, former ministers and secretaries of state do not receive unemployment benefits. If they retire, they do not benefit from a specific fund either, explains Préfon, the National Civil Service Provident Fund, on its website.

This compensation is however only granted under certain conditions:

Compliance with the declaration of assets: ministers must be in good standing with the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP). Absence of additional income: this compensation is not paid if the minister receives another income, such as returning to a parliamentary mandate. Validation to work in the private sector: ministers wishing to join the private sector must obtain authorization from the HATVP.

And Michel Barnier ?

Michel Barnier, after only three months at Matignon, joins the circle of 15 former Prime Ministers still alive and will be able to claim several benefits. However, at 73, he is not eligible for the special secretariat, reserved until the age of 67 or for ten years after the end of his term, reports Le Figaro.

On the other hand, he will be able to benefit from a vehicle with a driver for life, unless he already has a car for another mandate or public position, like Laurent Fabius, Édouard Philippe or Jean Castex. He will also be entitled to police protection, decided by the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with a republican tradition guaranteeing the security of former Prime Ministers and Presidents, without time limit.

He will also be able to receive a severance payment, provided that he does not engage in any paid activity during the three months following his departure. This compensation will correspond to three months' salary, or approximately €48,000 gross, based on €16,000 per month. A moderate amount compared to the total budget allocated to former Prime Ministers.

These benefits, estimated at €1.42 million for all former Prime Ministers in 2023, are not automatic and must be requested by those concerned.