While major floods affect part of the country, ecology, an issue forgotten by the executive for several months, has returned to the political agenda. Guest of BFM-TV, on Friday, October 18, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, spoke about bad weather “that are linked to climate change”while linking it to the fall in funding for his ministry.
“We need a budget commensurate with the situation and that is not the case today”he said, emphasizing “the absolute need to invest in adaptation to climate change”. Even resign if he doesn’t have enough room for maneuver? “I want, above all, to work to have the means for my action. (…) If I don’t have them, I will draw conclusions “he said, before going to the Ardèche, to the disaster zones.
According to the minister’s entourage, this sentence is not “Neither threats nor blackmail” and is not currently considered a resignation. But this departure reflects the growing tensions between the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Matignon and Bercy. Since his appointment at the Hôtel de Roquelaure, Mme Pannier-Runacher sympathizes with the budget cuts. He has repeatedly stated that public finances must be consolidated so as not to hinder the future.
“A budget of struggle”
During a press conference on Friday, October 11, or in front of the deputies of the Sustainable Development Commission on Wednesday, he described “a combat budget” in a “ difficult budget situation ». “We choose responsibility. (…) I guess I’ll do my part.”said.
But, in this context of reduction in the allocations of several programs (MaPrimeRénov’ loses one billion euros in credits, the electrification of vehicles, 500 million euros, and the green fund, 400 million euros, etc.), the Minister has also reiterated his desire to find new recipes.
In the press dossier of the finance bill (PLF) there is an item of 1.5 billion euros “by way of amendments” in plane tickets or fossil fuels. “We must provide consistent price signals between carbon solutions and carbon-free solutions”concluded the Minister of Energy Transition during her conference, while electricity taxation will increase.
A very poignant issue for Matignon, who immediately stopped a possible increase in taxes on gas. On Saturday, October 12, Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister of Budget and Public Accounts, ruled out this hypothesis. Nobody notified the Ministry of Ecology. Matignon’s instructions were transmitted on Sunday, October 13, by Maud Bregeon, government spokesperson.
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