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The Territorial Council meeting on Thursday, March 26, reflects the divisions that have marked governance since the start of the 2022–2027 term. This has been particularly true since the collapse of the majority formed by the merger of the slates led by President Xavier Lédée and First Vice President Marie-Hélène Bernier. Not to mention the resignations of elected officials from across the political spectrum and the rifts within the Saint-Barth D’Abord group. The result has been positions and votes that are sometimes difficult to follow. One thing is certain: the 2026 initial budget has been adopted. As was the highly anticipated settlement agreement regarding the land ownership of the Irénée de Bruyn Hospital, which is essential given the plan to rebuild the healthcare facility on its current site in Gustavia. On the other hand, the annual subsidy for the Territorial Tourism Committee (CTTSB) was rejected by a majority of elected officials.
A balanced budget
Regarding the 2026 initial budget, adopted by a majority vote (12 “for,” 5 “against,” and 2 abstentions), it is estimated at 458.5 million euros. Revenues and expenditures are balanced, both in the operating section (€212.828 million in expenditures offset by €212.828 million in revenues) and in the investment section (€245.677 million in expenditures versus €245.677 million in revenues). In its opinion issued prior to the territorial council meeting, the Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Council (CESCE) notes that “operating expenditures have stabilized at a high plateau (between 69 and 71 million euros since 2023, compared to less than 50 million prior to that date), while revenues have begun to decline since the 2023 peak (134.5 million), with 131.4 million in 2024, 125.9 million in 2025, and a projection of 119 million for 2026. The CESCE also notes that transfer taxes on property sales, “linked to the real estate market,” have fluctuated between 56.0 million euros in 2023, 39.4 million in 2024, and 46 million in 2025. “This volatility constitutes a structural risk that reinforces the need to diversify and optimize other sources of revenue,” insists the CESCE, adding: “Without a medium- and long-term vision, the Collectivité’s future budgetary capacity could be weakened.”
Hospital Land: Disagreement Over the Agreement
Two lengthy debates occupied the elected officials during the session. The first concerned the settlement agreement regarding the land holding of the Irénée de Bruyn Hospital, and the second concerned the allocation of the annual subsidy to the Tourism Committee. Regarding the first issue, Senator Micheline Jacques expressed reservations related to what she considers to be “a lack of flexibility for the Collectivité” following the protocol’s approval. An argument that President Lédée dismissed out of hand, arguing that “the agreement does not prevent discussion” and that it concerns only the “legal aspect” of the matter. “With this protocol, we acknowledge that the land does not belong to us, but we are subsidizing the construction of the new hospital,” noted First Vice President Marie-Hélène Bernier. With ten votes “for,” seven “against,” and two abstentions—including the senator’s—the resolution was nonetheless adopted.
A CTTSB subsidy to be reviewed
Regarding the CTTSB grant, amounting to 1.89 million euros, discussions were heated. Territorial Councilor and Committee Chair Alexandra Questel defended the project presented earlier to elected officials, but to no avail. The eight elected officials from the Action-Équilibre group voted against it, while only seven voted “for.” Francius Matignon and Mélissa Lake did not take part in the vote, nor did Alexandra Questel. It was Marie-Angèle Aubin, by abstaining, who ultimately tipped the vote. “Four budget scenarios have been presented to elected officials since December,” explains the CTTSB president. “One at 1.3 million, one at 1.5 million, a third at 1.9 million, and a fourth at just over 2 million. A majority of elected officials prioritized those at 1.9 million and over 2 million.” ” The consequence of the rejection: the budget will have to be voted on again. And within a relatively short timeframe because, as Alexandra Questel points out, “we need funds to pay employees.” The budget proposal to be presented to elected officials, likely by the end of May, will be scaled back. This will result in the cancellation of certain initiatives listed in the Committee’s objectives.
It should be noted, however, that the CTTSB has already received a grant advance of more than 650,000 euros. As for the rejected overall grant, it is included in the 2026 budget, which has been... adopted.
