Call for Budget Protection for Flood-Affected Areas
In the wake of devastating floods in Ardèche, Hervé Saulignac, the PS MP for the region, has appealed to the French government to exempt local authorities from proposed budget cuts. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Michel Barnier, Saulignac expressed that the planned levy in the 2025 budget would be unjust, particularly after the recent disasters faced by the residents of Ardèche. He highlighted that the government is considering a significant reduction of up to 5 billion euros from local authorities, which would disproportionately impact areas already struggling with the aftermath of the floods.
Financial Strain on Local Governments
According to Saulignac, the estimated financial contribution required from Ardèche could reach approximately 8 million euros. However, he stressed that the actual damage to modest municipalities—where 70% of the population is under 1,000—could amount to several million euros, making it increasingly difficult for these communities to recover. He urged the government to classify Ardèche as one of the twenty non-contributing departments, alongside neighboring areas like Gard and Lozère, to alleviate the financial burden on local governments.
Calls for Corporate Responsibility and Community Support
In addition to the MP's plea, the Lyon branch of Greenpeace has called for oil and gas companies to contribute to the recovery efforts, citing their role in climate change and the significant profits they have earned in recent years. As the region continues to navigate the aftermath of the floods, with Gironde remaining under an orange flood warning, local transportation services are gradually resuming, although full normalcy may take longer in the most affected areas.
