The question of the departments was otherwise more delicate

Once more a debate on the major issues for our democracy will be confiscated by those who are judges and parties: "large" local elected officials who accumulate national and local mandates. Barely known, the proposals of the Balladur Committee for the reform of local communities suffered a fire of criticism, often conflicting. What is really

Most observers of the political thing agree to recognize that the entanglement of the competencies of the different levels of communities increases considerably decision processes and operating costs. It is our political system in question, providing thousands of more remunerative elective terms, unlike obligingly electronic pathos. To the sides of the 35,000 rural mayors whose mandates are a genuine priesthood, leaders of political parties and those who aspire to replace share seats of Councillors General and regional with multiple vice-presidencies, chairmanships of unions intercommunaux or less known, sinecures of the economic and social councils regional. Each of these positions is the assurance of a monthly pay of thousands of euros totally Mutuel by a pseudo-retenue to the source, generous pensions complementary and various benefits not less desirable. In these conditions, is better put hard to defend the established order and the perpetuation of the elective mandates.

This politician right-of-way is clearly reflected in the proposals of the Balladur Committee. Redrawing the map of the regions, today almost entirely owned by Socialist majorities, would have been perceived as an assault. Edouard Balladur could not afford, and he did the probably not wish both areas are perceived as level administrative "carrier of the future". The Committee however proposed to reduce their number by voluntary groups. Why not, but what logic Contrary to conventional wisdom, geographic or demographic of the French regions importance lies in the average European.

The question of the departments was otherwise more delicate. It was appropriate to read between the lines the statements made by the Socialist delegation heard by the Committee to collect an implied position: "the future is in the regions and urban communities." Exit the departments. But no way to express it clearly when 60 of Councils are run by Socialists. Sensing hostile reactions from all sides, the Committee did not dare propose the deletion of the departments which, however, the geographic level two centuries ago no longer corresponds to contemporary social and economic issues.

The other proposals of the Committee have less political divisions, with the notable exception of the "Grand Paris". The election by universal suffrage for the legislative organs of the Epci (public Eablissements of Intermunicipal Cooperation) responds to the wishes of the two political sides; the intermunicipal is attention; the creation of a new category of community, the metropolis, appears to be admitted. Only the removal of the general jurisdiction of the regions and departments even discussion. The Socialist Party stands little or roughly the existing: the idea of blocks of skills but now skills shared with other communities.

However, it is damage that research deliberate political consensus has led the Committee to offer than any minor sum developments on the real issues: the groupings of regions or departments on the basis of voluntary will remain a clause of style; the transformation of communities urban in cities, with some powers of the departments, will complete to complicate an administrative Yarrow already largely indigestible. the only source of savings advocated and which are always consistent local elected representatives, is the contraction of services devolved to the State. It is little. Very little, having regard to the explosion of the operating costs of the regions and departments easily attributed to the transfer of powers of the State. It is to observe the proliferation of hotels of region and Department, the growth of their real estate or motor parks and by comparison, identify the impoverishment of State Governments, including justice, education and hospitals are just iconic illustrations. Control of the train of life of large communities is now an inescapable imperative that might crystallize the rejection of the policy by our fellow citizens, if they were reality. Similarly, probably by facility, the question of cumulation of mandates and allowances not been addressed while it is the cornerstone of the system.

Policy makers must understand that the public expenditure can no longer afford to ignore the economic crisis that our fellow citizens. The election or re-election, was it to universal suffrage, can be sufficient to give a blank check to the elected representatives to citizens without the means to exercise real control of the execution of the warrants elective. It is their job to manage now rigorously local finances to avoid that the observed drift was dangerously worsening. Control of public deficits will be made without reducing excessive operating costs generated by the superposition of the levels of communities. He was also to give more simplicity to an administrative organization become unreadable for citizens. Cautious or timid, by renouncing to propose a constitutional revision, the Balladur Committee has unfortunately closed the front folder to open it.