A baptism of fire dominated by riots
For his first plenary, François de Canson voted nearly €20M in emergency aid for high schools and businesses affected by crises.
For his baptism of fire at the head of the Région on October 23, François de Canson chaired a plenary assembly dominated by the response to the crises that shook the territory.
Faced with damage to high schools, looted businesses, and floods, the successor to Renaud Muselier passed a series of emergency measures, marking a desire to act quickly on the economic and security fronts.
Ten days ago you entrusted me with the presidency of this institution, ten days and already many events
13 million for business
An exceptional support plan was voted for businesses victimized by looting during the October 17 riots. A 13 million € fund was set up to finance flat-rate aid of €10,000 per affected establishment.
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The Région contributes 5 million, as does the Département des Bouches-du-Rhône. Métropole Aix-Marseille and shipowner CMA-CGM each add one million. Nearly 600 businesses were affected, mainly in Marseille.
Behind every broken shop window, it is a lifetime's work that is destroyed
This measure received unanimous support from the chamber, including the Rassemblement National group. Franck Allisio, its president, denounced “hordes of savages” and took advantage of the debate to promote a national political alternative.
Sanctions for rioters
Recent high school mobilizations, marred by violence, also led the Région to act. An emergency budget of 6 million € was unlocked for the repair of the 47 damaged high schools.
Furthermore, the regional majority adopted a motion aiming to sanction troublemakers. Systematic legal complaints are being lodged, and the authority asks the Ministère de l'Éducation to communicate the names of penalized students in order to suspend their regional aid, such as the Pass Zou.
Finally, 10,000 hours of community service will be made available to the justice system.
The emotion and anger sparked by these acts must not make us lose sight of the high schoolers' voice, the demands must be heard
Beyond the emergency
The assembly also approved several key structural projects. The cap of the regional sovereign fund, intended to support strategic companies, was raised from 2 to 5 million €. The principle of an Opération d'Intérêt National (OIN) to make Fos-Berre the first decarbonized industrial-port hub in Europe was also approved.
At the same time, François de Canson traveled the day before to Camargue, hit by severe flooding. Meeting with affected farmers and livestock breeders in Le Sambuc (Arles), he announced the upcoming vote on emergency aid of 5,000 euros per farm and support for hay supplies.
I want to help you in concrete ways. I want to help get agriculture restarted
Article from the print edition of La Gazette du Var