<\/p>\n
Before Any Reform: Clarity on Resources<\/b><\/p>\n A substantial annual budget, necessary to meet the region's needs<\/strong><\/p>\n For the 2023\u20132024 fiscal year, the total public budgets allocated to Martinique are estimated at 2.38 billion euros per year. This amount, which is the sum of the budgets of the major local governments, key operators, and state grants, illustrates the scale of the resources required for Martinique\u2019s operation and development.<\/p>\n The breakdown of these budgets by sector highlights the diversity of needs: education, health, transportation, economic development, housing, the environment, and more. Each budget line item reflects a concrete reality for the local population and stakeholders.<\/p>\n Multi-Year Supplements: Structural Support<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to annual budgets, multi-year programs further bolster public efforts. The Chlordecone IV Plan, the Convergence and Transformation Contracts, and one-time grants provide more than 119 million euros in additional funding each year. Thus, the cumulative total of public funds mobilized amounts to nearly 2.5 billion euros, or approximately 6,922 euros per capita per year.<\/p>\n Budgetary transparency, the cornerstone of democratic debate<\/strong><\/p>\n Why is this transparency essential? Because these figures are not abstract: they represent the reality of the resources needed to ensure health care, education, mobility, social support, and regional development. They are the foundation upon which social cohesion and the ability to build the future rest.<\/p>\n Emancipation cannot be conceived without addressing the issue of resources<\/strong><\/p>\n Opening a debate on Martinique\u2019s governance\u2014whether it involves autonomy, independence, or other models\u2014requires a rigorous assessment of these budgetary realities. Today, virtually all of these resources come from transfers from the French government, European funds, local taxes, and social security contributions. More than 80% of these funds come from national and European solidarity.<\/p>\n What are the alternatives for an independent Martinique?<\/strong><\/p>\n If Martinique were to become independent, it would have to collect all necessary taxes and levies on its own, bear the full burden of social security contributions, and seek new external partners. However, the local economic structure, the limited tax base, and demographic factors make this a particularly difficult challenge to overcome. Current tax revenues would barely cover 40% of its needs, leaving a deficit of more than 1.5 billion euros to be covered each year.<\/p>\n The Consequences of a Loss of Income<\/strong><\/p>\n The absence of current transfers would entail either a massive tax increase, a drastic reduction in public services, or an uncertain reliance on debt or international aid. The standard of living and the quality of services would be directly affected, raising questions about the sustainability of such a plan and the social unrest that would result.<\/p>\n For a collective, clear-headed, and responsible decision<\/strong><\/p>\n Governance in Martinique cannot be reduced to an arbitrary institutional choice. It requires a shared understanding of the necessary and available resources, as well as complete transparency regarding their source and use. Only under these conditions can future decisions be made collectively, with clarity and accountability, to build a controlled and ambitious future for Martinique.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ultimately, any discussion of emancipation or a change in status must be based on an honest and comprehensive budgetary analysis. This is an essential prerequisite for a truly informed democratic debate. We must also ask ourselves\u2014and do so sincerely\u2014whether it is possible to instill in the people this desire for emancipation and the sacrifices that go along with it\u2026<\/p>\n G\u00e9rard Dorwling-Carter<\/b><\/p>\n P.S.: Some may feel that these figures are not precise enough, but this is the data available to us, and it is sufficient to form the basis for a clear-eyed assessment of our financial and budgetary realities.<\/p>\n ADDENDUM. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b>It is<\/b> After posting this \u00abPerspective,\u00bb I became aware of the open letter sent by Karl Paolo to Representative Mathilde PANOT, from which I have excerpted the following points to supplement the argument presented above, namely, the absolute necessity for every citizen of the overseas territories\u2014including us Martinicans\u2014to thoroughly examine the issue of budgetary funding for any proposal regarding changes to our status<\/strong><\/em>area. Martinique has the largest number of civil servants, with 105 civil servants per 1,000 residents, compared with an average of 73 in mainland France<\/p>\n \u2022 France\u2019s commitment takes two main forms: budgetary spending\u2014that is, the money France spends on Martinique\u2014and tax revenue foregone\u2014that is, the revenue it chooses not to collect.<\/p>\n \u2022 Budget expenditures total 6.8 billion euros, including 2.8 billion euros for the federal budget, 3 billion euros for Social Security, and 1 billion euros in grants to fund local governments<\/p>\n \u2022 Tax expenditures total \u20ac700 million, or \u20ac2,000 per capita (2023-M-047-<\/p>\n On top of that, there\u2019s an additional 500 million euros for the electricity price equalization program, which allows residents of Martinique to pay the same price as in France!!!<\/p>\n \u2022 A total commitment of 21,400\u20ac per capita\u2014almost as much as the GDP!<\/p>\n \u2022 However, the government collects only 2.4 billion euros in revenue, with 1.7 billion euros coming from social security contributions and 700 million euros from national taxes\u2014VAT, income tax, corporate income tax, etc. Local taxes are collected directly by local governments.<\/p>\n This amounts to a deficit of 4.4 billion euros (Studies and Statistics | impots.gouv.fr | Martinique General Social Security Fund | Court of Auditors)<\/p>\n \u2022 European aid totals approximately \u20ac286 million, including \u20ac164 million from the ERDF, ESF+, etc., and \u20ac122 million from the POSEI (Plenary Session of the Martinique Assembly \u2013 April 5, 2024)<\/p>\n \u2022 The France Relance Plan: \u20ac260 million<\/p>\n \u2022 As far as Social Security is concerned, there is no distinction between the departments in mainland France and ourssince reimbursements depend on the procedures performed. However, people in Martinique claim more reimbursements than those in Corsica: \u20ac2.3 billion in healthcare costs compared to \u20ac1.4 billion for an equivalent population (CPAM of Southern Corsica | Health Insurance | About Us? | CPAM of Haute-Corse | Health Insurance | About Us?)<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 For grants to municipalities, the scale is based on population. For local authorities, the CTM received 632 million euros this year, compared with 320 million euros for the Collectivit\u00e9 de Corse<\/p>\n \u2022 Government spending averages \u20ac8,200 per capita in the overseas territories, compared with \u20ac7,100 in mainland France<\/p>\n \u2022 This expenditure amounts to only \u20ac5,800 for French Polynesia and New Caledonia, and since greater autonomy means lower government spending!<\/p>\n \u2022 Corsica receives 187 million euros per year under the territorial continuity program. This program was negotiated by the entire political establishment in 1976. However, it has not been reassessed since 2009!<\/p>\n The gap between France and mainland France often reflects the level of infrastructure development. However, this development is the result of a century-long process in France.<\/p>\n Local authorities are not helping Martinique emerge from the crisis<\/p>\n \u2022 Of the CTM\u2019s \u20ac1,498 million budget, operating expenses total \u20ac999 million, of which \u20ac262 million is for salaries<\/p>\n \u2022 Conclusion of the Regional Court of Auditors\u2019 2020 report: The CTM\u2019s overall financial situation is, in fact, paradoxical: while it has ample cash flow, the amount of its investments is decreasing, its debt is increasing, and its ability to pay down debt is deteriorating<\/p>\n \u2022 In August 2024, the number of \u00abghost employees\u00bb at the CTM was estimated at 200 (\u201cSome 200 employees paid to do nothing,\u201d according to Serge LETCHIMY, chairman of the CTM\u2019s executive board)<\/p>\n \u2022 The annual cost of the \u201coctroi de mer\u201d tax is \u20ac949 per capita in Martinique in 2022, compared to \u20ac635 in R\u00e9union (\u201cThe \u2018octroi de mer\u2019: A Tax at a Crossroads\u201d | Court of Auditors)<\/p>\n \u2022 Only 5.6% of the port tax is invested in the Regional Fund for Economic Development and Employment (FRDE), compared to 22.8% in French Guiana. Yet the law requires it to do so.<\/p>\n \u2022 Municipal taxes amount to \u20ac1,275 per resident, compared with an average of \u20ac667 in French municipalities with more than 20,000 residents<\/p>\n \u2022 Martinique is the overseas territory with the highest per-capita operating expenses at \u20ac1,645, followed by Guadeloupe at \u20ac1,584, R\u00e9union at \u20ac1,381, and French Guiana at \u20ac1,285.<\/p>\n \u2022 Municipalities\u2019 actions are constrained by high levels of debt \u2013 \u20ac342 million in 2022, and salaries: 67% of this amount is allocated to personnel costs, compared to 55% in mainland France (Observatory of Municipalities in Martinique 2023 | AFD \u2013 Agence Fran\u00e7aise de D\u00e9veloppement)<\/p>\n \u2022 Municipalities\u2019 external expenditures\u2014and thus infrastructure spending\u2014account for 13% of the budget in 2022, compared with 25% in mainland France (Observatory of Municipalities in Martinique 2023 | AFD \u2013 Agence Fran\u00e7aise de D\u00e9veloppement)<\/p>\n Local politicians are unable to provide solutions or allocate resources for Martinique's development<\/b><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Avant\u00a0 toute r\u00e9forme : la clart\u00e9 sur les moyens La question de l\u2019\u00e9mancipation, du changement de statut ou de la prise de responsabilit\u00e9 politique de la Martinique est omnipr\u00e9sente dans le d\u00e9bat public, il est essentiel de rappeler que toute r\u00e9flexion s\u00e9rieuse sur la gouvernance du territoire doit s\u2019appuyer sur une connaissance pr\u00e9cise et<\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":75309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_robots":null,"rank_math_facebook_title":"","rank_math_facebook_description":"","rank_math_twitter_title":"","rank_math_twitter_description":""},"categories":[922],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-le-regard-de-gdc"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antilla-martinique.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
The issue of Martinique\u2019s emancipation, change in status, or assumption of political responsibility is ever-present in public debate; it is essential to remember that any serious discussion of the territory\u2019s governance must be based on an accurate and transparent understanding of current budgetary needs. Before any institutional reform can take place, a clear understanding of the figures and financial flows is essential for an informed debate.<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n