The former premiers are benefiting from a decree passed in 2019 by then-Prime Minister Édouard Philippe granting former prime ministers such fringe benefits for a period of 10 years after leaving the post. The benefits do not apply to former premiers if they hold other government office and do not extend beyond their 67th birthdays. The age limit does not apply to PMs who held office before 2019, when an earlier decree granted them the benefits for life.
While Dalloz noted the expenses were not extravagant, she urged France’s former heads of government to be more spendthrift in the coming years due to France’s deteriorating financial situation. Lawmakers are currently debating a budget for 2025 that aims to cut spending by an eye-watering €40 billion and bring in another €20 billion through taxes.
“One or two [are] particularly concerning, all the more so as they are often going to make comments on television shows,” Dalloz said on Wednesday as she unveiled her work to the parliament’s finance committee.
While Dalloz did not name names, it was clear that she was referring to de Villepin, the French politician who gained worldwide recognition for his impassioned speech against the war in Iraq at the United Nations in 2003 and later served as prime minister under Jacques Chirac from 2005 to 2007. De Villepin is a regular commentator on domestic and foreign affairs on French radio and television. He now runs Villepin International, a consulting firm that advises world leaders.
France spent €6,287 on car expenses and €191,252 on personnel costs, for a total of €197,540 for de Villepin in 2023 — more than any other former prime minister. Raffarin, whose business prospers notably in China, cost €167,467 euros, just ahead of Lionel Jospin at €162,012.
Several others cost the state more than €100,000, including Manuel Valls, François Fillon, Bernard Cazeneuve and Edouard Balladur.
