Adopted on Friday at the end of heated debates against a backdrop of a nationally-resonant rebellion in the world of culture, which was particularly targeted, the budget for the Pays de la Loire confirms a cut of 100 million euros in its operating expenses, including 82 next year.
The outgoing government, which was considering a contribution of five billion euros for local authorities in 2025 in order to redress public accounts, only planned 40 billion for this region.
A budget of "strong political choices for the future", assures the president Christelle Morançais (Horizons), who, in the absence of fiscal leverage, advocates a "refocusing on the priority skills" of the region, namely investment in high schools and TER trains.
If culture, sport and community life are shared skills and only represent 10,5% of the amount of savings, the percentages at the end are significant with a reduction of 62% for culture or 76% for sport.
The Pays de la Loire economic, social and environmental council said it was "very concerned about the brutal repercussions on thousands of jobs".
Beyond the figures, the political discourse has irritated, with the president castigating, in response to criticism, "the untouchable monopoly" of culture and its "highly politicized associations, which live off public money."
Have the Pays de la Loire region attracted any followers? "The regions prepared their budget based on a government project that required them to make a major contribution, with a freeze on VAT, which accounts for nearly 60% of their revenue," observes local finance specialist Christian Escallier, for whom the cuts in culture in the Pays de la Loire region are "not an isolated case."
On Thursday, the Ile-de-France region voted for a 27% reduction in the investment budget for culture, representing a reduction of 14,9 million euros out of a total of 760 million euros in savings.
"Blind Cuts"
An "unprecedented austerity cure", according to the left-wing opposition, which also denounces "axe cuts" in housing, the environment, professional training and transport.
"Savings, this word is not a taboo word for me," replied LR president Valérie Pécresse, also arguing for a refocusing on regional skills.
The regions led by the left have publicly refused to "get out the chainsaw" in their culture or community life budgets.
"There is a real debate between liberals and social democrats," said the president of the Brittany region, Loïg Chesnais-Girard (ex-PS).
"I don't believe in blind cuts that cut into public spending like bad fat," he said in reference to Christelle Morançais, preferring to "spread investments over time" or "defer the renovation of high schools."
In Nouvelle Aquitaine, however, the Bordeaux National Opera will have to do without 350.000 euros from the Region. "This reduction represents 1,5% of their budget," defended Charline Claveau, Vice-President for Culture.
"If we had to cut rates anywhere other than the big cultural operators, it would be carnage for smaller structures and festivals," she explained to AFP.
In 2025, Nouvelle Aquitaine and Normandy will ease off on the renewal of railway infrastructure and will increase the tax on vehicle registration documents on January 1.
Auvergne-Rhône Alpes will cut apprenticeships, but welcomes a "record" investment of 1,7 billion euros.
Some regions have postponed their vote until next year to give themselves time to see things more clearly, such as Occitanie and Hauts-de-France.
"We are funding associations that fight against insecurity" but "we are not going to massively reduce subsidies in this area, because we know very well that they will not withstand a reduction", underlines a member of the office of President Xavier Bertrand (LR).
A global "cut" has, however, already been made in PACA, where President Renaud Muselier (Renaissance) wants to "eliminate all duplication of spending with the State".
Despite the priority given to education by the regions, the FCPE, the main parents' organisation, is concerned about a temptation to "reduce the square metres in high schools" in the event of a drop in numbers, and "a disengagement in the maintenance of school buildings".