Loire: Too many privileges for elected officials? Loire parliamentarians doubt it

"In my time, there were no ministerial pensions. It doesn't shock me that we're taking a close look at the situation of politicians. We have to be quite cautious about compensation. Politicians can't be exempt from the efforts required of everyone. It seems to me that we can focus more on the real costs and, above all, differentiate between urban elected officials. They don't necessarily all have the same ease in fulfilling their mandate. In any case, I'm not in favor of standing still."

" François Bayrou is struggling to get his budget passed. A budget that will be terrible for the most vulnerable and the middle classes, who could be downgraded. He's riding on populist rhetoric and, like many governments, promises things he doesn't keep. I understand, therefore, people's distaste for politicians, but I regret that they're turning away from the ballot box."

On the benefits, the LFI MP acknowledges: "Perhaps there are things to review, such as a reduction in the pension scale for former presidents or other benefits to be defined. But if we really want to find money, the best thing is to turn to billionaires. With the return of the ISF (wealth tax), we'll unlock the four billion he's trying to recover with the elimination of the two public holidays! With the Zucman tax (which aims to establish a minimum tax of 2% on the assets of the ultra-rich, taking into account their real income), which would only affect 2,000 households, we'll find twenty billion per year."

"Regarding parliamentary work, if I compare the number of hours spent to the compensation received, I don't think I'm well paid. It's not uncommon to sit 12 hours a day in the National Assembly and 10 hours a day in committee, including weekends."

"The Prime Minister is definitely not targeting the biggest fortunes, where the wealth is! He continues to give substance to the anti-elected populist sentiments that exist in our country. Attacking elected officials to solve France's budget problem is lying to the French people."

"The conclusions of this mission will answer this question of privilege or not. I especially think that there is a lot of populism in this. It is unacceptable to pretend that we are privileged. There are more savings to be made on the state's standard of living. It is becoming tiresome to always criticize those who work, when excessive welfare doesn't bother anyone. Worse, if we talk about it, we become extremist."

"The choice of this theme corresponds to the expectations of citizens. Not everyone is aware of the rights and responsibilities of parliamentarians, so this exercise is necessary. We will see that we are closely monitored, that we must be held accountable."

"For our client expense allowance, which gives us the means to work, I have always believed that we do not have to use it 100% at all costs, and that we must return what is not spent. Today, everyone must make an effort, an effort that must be visible in its importance and in its duration."

"A lot of things have changed in the Senate, particularly regarding expenses, but this hasn't been publicized. All our expenses are monitored, and if they can't be justified, we have to reimburse them. We can't ask the French people to make an effort without that effort being shared by everyone. Afterwards, we shouldn't make people believe just anything, like removing close protection for former presidents of the Republic. They had to make decisions during their time in office that could put their lives in danger!"

"I'm in favor of reducing the number of parliamentarians and ministers. We're dealing with a legacy from when we had money. But every time we propose reducing the size, we come up against a Parisian system, well beyond the privileges of elected officials, which wants to keep its advantages. What the French want are operational savings with fundamental structural reforms. And we're not getting that. I find it totally depressing."

"I fully support anything that helps us move towards greater transparency and greater ethics in public life in the broadest sense. On the contrary, in a period of public distrust, demonstrating transparency and the reality of the means at our disposal is likely to strengthen the bonds between elected officials and citizens. Anything that is unclear is a source of fantasy."

"At a time when efforts are being demanded of the French people, we expect exemplary behavior from elected officials. I don't consider myself a privileged person. I use the means to carry out the mission that the voters have entrusted to me. Means that I use with complete transparency."

"I am aware that I am in a comfortable financial situation, but the parliamentary reality is that we are the country in Europe with the fewest resources to function and to investigate. As for possible privileges, we must broaden the lens to include those in the executive branch, cabinet staff, and certain senior civil servants. So there is no taboo for me on this subject, but it must be handled with caution and education. Democracy has a cost, and for the vast majority of elected officials, it is more of a priesthood than a gilded cage."