Jean Castex in Toulon, January 5, 2021. -

NICOLAS TUCAT / POOL / AFP

  • Jean Castex, the Prime Minister, signed this Tuesday morning the first regional relaunch agreement in Toulon, in the Var.

  • A signature that comes in a context of controversy around the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.

Prime Minister Jean Castex signed on Tuesday in Toulon, in the Var, a first regional revival agreement, assuring to have "always favored consultation as close as possible to the field" when local elected officials criticize the government for its management of vaccination against Covid-19.

"The objective is simple: it is to support the sectors strongly impacted by the health crisis and to promote the return of growth", explained Jean Castex during a speech to elected officials of the Provence-Alpes region. Côte-d'Azur (Paca).

At the end of September, the government pledged to co-pilot part of the recovery plan, endowed with 100 billion euros, with the regions, via contracts for the future signed with each of the communities.

In the Paca region, the contract which runs until 2027 reaches 5 billion euros, financed equally by the two parties.

"The government has always favored consultation as close as possible to the field, even if our institutional organization, combined with the gravity of the situation, gives the last word to the State, responsible for public health", assured Jean Castex.

Controversy over vaccination

"Rely on us, we are there at your disposal, without political ulterior motive, simply for the result, for the return to normal life", replied LR president of the region Renaud Muselier, who is also president. of the Regions of France.

In Marseille, elected officials vehemently denounced at the start of the school year a lack of consultation when the government announced an early closure of bars and restaurants.

Today, it is the slowness and the lack of anticipation on the vaccination strategy that are criticized by many local elected officials.

"On the economic and social crisis, I have total confidence in the Prime Minister" but "on the vaccination campaign, we expressed the greatest reservations," said Renaud Muselier.

"The controversy helps absolutely no one and provides no solution either in the health field or in the economic and social field," said Jean Castex for his part in front of journalists.

Electrification at quayside and damaged valley

The plan signed on Tuesday should finance investments around ecological transition, research, social cohesion, health, vocational training or the modernization of transport infrastructure.

Such as the electrification of the docks in the ports of Toulon, Nice or Marseille to reduce pollution from boats or to secure level crossings.

In the Alpes-Maritimes, where two valleys were damaged in October by floods, 307 million will be dedicated to the reconstruction of destroyed wastewater treatment plants or to the repair of the Nice-Tende railway line.

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  • Covid 19

  • Toulon

  • Recovery plan

  • Jean Castex

  • Anti-covid vaccine

  • Society

  • Economy