Réunion Politicians and Unions Unite Against Bayrou's 2026 Budget Plan
La Réunion's leaders and unions strongly oppose Bayrou's budget plan, citing concerns over austerity measures and social justice.
Key Points
- • François Bayrou's budget plan includes 43.8 billion euros in savings with cuts to public holidays and social benefits.
- • La Réunion politicians label the budget as a 'social war' against the poor.
- • Critics advocate for taxing the wealthy instead of implementing austerity measures.
- • Union leaders warn of a looming crisis for workers due to the proposed cuts.
On July 15, Prime Minister François Bayrou unveiled a contentious budget plan designed to achieve 43.8 billion euros in savings, igniting fierce criticism from politicians and unions in La Réunion. Proposed measures within the budget include eliminating two public holidays, cutting 3,000 civil service jobs, and freezing social benefits and pensions for a year. These actions have been denounced as "unacceptable" and a declaration of a "social war" against the most vulnerable populations.
Political leaders from La Réunion were quick to condemn the budget, describing it as a "violent budget" that would exacerbate existing socioeconomic issues rather than solve them. Deputy Perceval Gaillard from the left-wing LFI party argued that the budget’s measures unfairly burden the poor while letting the wealthy off the hook. He suggested that reintroducing a wealth tax could yield 20 billion euros, providing an alternative revenue stream instead of the austerity measures proposed by the government.
Karine Lebon, another deputy from La Réunion, echoed these concerns, asserting that the budget represents a direct attack on workers, retirees, and low-income families with no efforts made to hold the wealthy accountable. "It’s an assault on workers and pensioners," she stated, further criticizing the lack of social justice measures within the proposed budget.
Huguette Bello, President of La Réunion Region, labeled the austerity measures as unjust and detrimental, particularly for vulnerable populations in overseas territories. Cyrille Melchior, President of the Departmental Council of La Réunion, cautioned that these budget cuts could worsen social inequalities in a region already facing significant poverty and economic challenges.
Union leader Jacky Balmine from CGTR expressed that the upcoming year looks "dark" for workers, calling the budget an attack on workers' rights and urging immediate mobilization against the cuts. Retirees voiced their criticisms against the plans to disindex pensions, fearing that such measures will lead to more impoverishment.
The backlash against Bayrou’s budget plan reflects a profound discontent within La Réunion, illustrating the growing rift between the government and its critics who argue that social justice should be prioritized over austerity in economic policy.