The Senate adopted a bill against the 'high cost of living' in overseas territories on October 29, introduced by Minister Naïma Moutchou. Deemed largely insufficient by ultramarine lawmakers, the text highlights frustrations over the lack of ambitious measures on purchasing power and competition. It is now sent to the National Assembly.
The fight against the 'high cost of living' in overseas territories, labeled an 'emergency' by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, advanced in the Senate on October 29 with the adoption of a bill. Introduced by the new Minister for Overseas Territories, Naïma Moutchou, the text was approved by show of hands despite sharp criticism from ultramarine lawmakers, most of whom abstained.
Debates highlighted unmet expectations. According to Insee, the price gap for food products can reach 42% between ultramarine territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique and mainland France; in Guadeloupe, food prices have risen 35% over ten years. These disparities fueled protests in Martinique in autumn 2024.
'It is advisable not to give false hopes, which will soon lead to bitter disappointments among our ultramarine fellow citizens,' warned Micheline Jacques, Republicans senator from Saint-Barthélemy and rapporteur of the bill, calling it a 'communication tool.' Socialist senator from Martinique Catherine Conconne decried a 'missed opportunity': 'This fire-extinguisher law will not put out the fire of the high cost of living before our eyes' because it 'has not taken into account the income problem.' Former socialist Overseas Territories minister Victorin Lurel added: 'The government has not put in a single centime.'
Naïma Moutchou defended the government's choice to avoid social and budgetary aspects, stating income issues should be resolved 'over time.' The Senate removed two key measures: the exclusion of transport costs from the resale price threshold (SRP), to avoid favoring large distributors, and a equalization mechanism to reduce approach costs.
Despite these deletions, the bill strengthens the 'quality-price shield' (BQP) to reduce the price gap with mainland France, grants prefects power to regulate prices in crises, and specifically targets bottled water. A transparency section requires companies to transmit data on margins and accounts, with penalties, and a socialist amendment ties public aid to the publication of social accounts.