For the first time in its history, the Gironde department has adopted a budget deficit of 97.7 million euros. President Jean-Luc Gleyze announced the figure during a plenary session on October 13. The prefect has referred the matter to the regional chamber of accounts to propose recovery measures.
The Gironde department, led by Jean-Luc Gleyze of the Socialist Party since 2015, is confronting an unprecedented financial situation. During the plenary session on Monday, October 13, a budget deficit of 97.7 million euros was announced on an annual budget of 1.8 billion euros. In accordance with the general code of territorial authorities, the prefect of Gironde has referred the case to the regional chamber of accounts, which has thirty days to confirm the deficit and propose necessary measures to restore balance.
The departmental majority has presented its own plan to return to budgetary equilibrium by 2028, which will be reviewed by the chamber. If the plan is deemed satisfactory, Jean-Luc Gleyze will retain control over budgetary choices. In case of disagreement, the prefect could place the department under guardianship and make financial decisions.
The causes of this deficit are numerous, according to Gleyze, but the imbalance between revenues and expenditures is central. The largest portion of the budget is allocated to child social assistance (ASE), with 330 million euros, up more than 80% in ten years. This is due to a 44% increase in the number of children placed in care, bringing the total followed by ASE to 15,000. The department, with 1.6 million inhabitants, sees its population grow by 20,000 people per year, intensifying budgetary pressures.