The resigning Overseas Minister François-Noël Buffet indicated on Thursday that the protocol to fight against the high cost of living in Martinique was ” suspended “ due to the censorship of the Barnier government, just like “the billion euros announced for New Caledonia”.
“The cost of living protocol is suspended. We will never be able to actually have -20%, on January 1, 2025, on the 6,000 products that were planned, explained Mr. Buffet in an interview with the newspaper Ouest-France.
The reduction or even abolition of VAT is also called into question, added the minister, emphasizing: “Since it is not voted on, it does not apply”.
“This suspension will add anxiety and stress to areas which do not need it and which above all aspire to calm and serenity”he continued.
This protocol was signed on October 16 after six weeks of mobilization launched at the beginning of September by a movement against the high cost of living which degenerated into violence, mainly at night. According to figures from the prefecture, more than 230 vehicles were deliberately burned and dozens of commercial premises were set on fire, vandalized or looted.
The resigning minister also expressed his concerns regarding New Caledonia, the scene of riots on an unprecedented scale which ravaged the territory from May 13. Thirteen people died and the cost of material damage is estimated at at least 2.2 billion euros by local authorities.
“We are left with nothing, let’s say things as they are. For now, everything stops. Today, without a voted budget, there is not the billion euros announced for New Caledonia. And this portends difficulties for a territory which needs significant financial assistance”noted Mr. Buffet.
“The government, provinces and municipalities will end the year with the aid we have granted them but will start 2025 with a fairly rapid difficulty, potentially of the order of a quarter. Nothing is settled, even though we are part of a logic of support”he added.
The minister, however, mentioned “that yesterday (Wednesday), nevertheless – because we obtained the reversal of the parliamentary calendar -, we were able to pass the 2024 management law which makes it possible to ensure the aid planned for New Caledonia, but only for the year 2024 ».