Most decisions, mostly technical, were made unanimously, but the consensus was only superficial. The game hardened, flirting with boundaries, between Mayor Emmanuel Sallaberry’s majority, candidate for re-election, and the opposition led by ecologist Isabelle Rami who will lead the left-wing union, including LFI, in the single round of voting on March 15th.
Unsurprisingly, the debate over the 2026 budget guidance report (ROB) shifted the electoral campaign to the council chamber. This was the opportunity for both sides to assert their divergent visions of city management.
On one hand, Deputy Mayor for Finance François Jestin presented a balanced and ambitious ROB: “Without weakening the finances and for the eleventh consecutive year without raising tax rates, the City is able to maintain a high level of public services and pursue an ambitious investment program without excessive borrowing.”
With operating expenses “progressing less quickly than revenues”, a ten-year debt capacity, and a preserved investment commitment (90 million euros) including the completion in 2026 of the Grand Peixotto-Margaut, the start of works on the Château des arts, the modernization of the Albert-Camus school, and the construction of a new central kitchen.
In opposition, Isabelle Rami sharply criticized this trajectory, denouncing a “display budget”, “insincere and cosmetic investment policy that neglects the essential” and “a focus on visible projects that drain the communication service with inaugurations.” A flagship project she denounces is the planetarium: “It corresponds to the equivalent of sixteen years of energy efficiency improvement works.”
Opposition members took turns hammering the message, leading Emmanuel Sallaberry to comment that “the municipal choir is recruiting.” When Guillaume Garrigues, who switched from the majority to the opposition during his term, highlighted “interest payments multiplied by 2.5 (from 708,000 euros to 1.80 million) while all subsidies to associations total 2.20 million euros,” François Jestin, at the forefront for the majority, quipped: “Congratulations. Not once, when you were deputy, did we talk about finances. I discover your expertise after voting on eight budgets.”
Context: – The article discusses a city council meeting in Talence, France, focusing on contrasting views on budget plans between the mayor’s majority and the opposition.
Fact Check: – The content may contain specific numbers and quotations that should be verified for accuracy.
