Bordeaux is implementing a sharp shift in its budgetary strategy as the city council presented new guidelines on Monday to limit expenditure growth. Elected in March, the new mayor Thomas Cazenave of the Renaissance party is moving forward with campaign promises to address a municipal debt that reached 413 million euros by the end of 2025 under his predecessor, ecologist Pierre Hurmic, according to data from the consulting firm EY.
The new executive plans to curb the rise in operating expenses to 1.7%, a significant reduction compared to the 4.7% increase recorded under the previous majority. The strategy also involves restricting borrowing and containing investment levels. Cazenave described the prior six years as a period of "untenable financial management" that saw debt explode by 92% while savings collapsed. He stated that regaining control is essential to restore the city's freedom to act and continue investing in areas demanded by residents.
The administration has set a target to bring the city's debt repayment horizon below the 12-year alert threshold by 2029. To achieve this, Mayor Cazenave's team has prioritized three key sectors: early childhood care, education, and daily security. These areas are earmarked for 600 million euros in investments spread throughout the mandate. Louis Fleury, the deputy mayor in charge of finances, emphasized that this financial discipline is not a hindrance but rather a guarantee to rebuild savings margins and preserve decision-making capacity for the future.
This strict fiscal approach is deemed necessary as Bordeaux may not be able to rely on support from Bordeaux-Métropole, which is also implementing a rescue plan due to its high debt levels. Additionally, the 2027 preliminary finance bill is expected to include significant budget cuts that will negatively impact municipalities.
Sources: Le Figaro.