The reimbursement of the rent of members living in Paris passes 900 to 1200 euros per month

The office of the National Assembly has recorded a 33% increase in the reimbursement of accommodation expenses in Paris deputies. This is to "take into account the high level of rents in Paris," according to the report of the elected Questors (responsible for the management of the budget of the Assembly) which increased the ceiling of this compensation from 900 to 1200 euros, which corresponds to the "amount the Senate has withheld since 2017"

"Among the 104 beneficiaries of the housing allowance on 1 September 2019, only 7 deputies pay a rent below this ceiling," say the Questors, three deputies (2 LREM, 1 LR) responsible for the management of the Assembly. The other 97 elected may nevertheless impute the difference between the Paris rent they pay and the ceiling of their housing allowance on their IFRM (compensation representative of expenses of mandate).

An additional expenditure planned at 304,000 euros per year

The additional annual expenditure for the Assembly resulting from this increase will be "at least 304,000 euros". But, the cost of the measure could be greater, more than double, "better repayment conditions encouraging more MPs to opt for this type of accommodation," say the Questeurs.

Some 240 MPs have sleeping facilities in their offices, while 51 rooms are available in a residence. For the remaining members, hotel nights can be partially covered or, if a pied-a-terre is rented, these costs can be supported on receipts, via the accommodation allowance.

This increase in reimbursement of accommodation expenses in Paris is jealous. "Well, there is no money for collabs it seems …", noted the CFTC union of parliamentary collaborators on Twitter.

"1200 euros is sometimes the salary that some generous members give their employees … #Happy," tweeted Astrid Morne, parliamentary colleague and member of the union Unsa employees (see illustration above).