"To resolve the debt, just pay": this taxpayer pays an extra €50 to Bercy every month

Unusual generosity. Since October 2024, Bruno Alessi, a former military reservist, has regularly made monetary donations to the state. A rather rare gesture that the donor justifies as a means of combating debt on his own scale.

Since the practice opened in 2006, Bruno Alessi hasn't been the only one to put his hand in his wallet. In 2021, Michel Fache donated €40,000 , an amount that corresponds to the French debt per person. More recently, in October 2024, Stéphane Chamaillard sent a check for €45.

According to his account this Wednesday on RMC , Bruno Alessi's gesture stems from an observation: the public debt could be covered if everyone did their part. He then decided to contact Bercy. During discussions with the Ministry of the Economy, Bruno received a bank account number. He decided to deposit a first check in October 2024 for 150 euros. This gesture was announced in the Official Journal. Since then, the donor has been paying 50 euros monthly.

In total, several hundred euros have already been donated to the state coffers, in accordance with Bruno's wishes. This sum is earmarked for debt repayment.

"I think it's respected by the administration," he announced.

While this gesture raises questions, he justifies it by a desire to be among those who help. "I think I pay enough taxes. I'm always unhappy, like everyone else, when I get my bill every year. We're in a critical situation. Debt isn't a new phenomenon [...] I felt really helpless, to the point of wondering how I could help as a citizen. To solve the debt problem, you just have to pay it," he explains.

When questioned, Bruno Alessi said he was "overwhelmed" and unable to know which political group would, at the moment, be able to resolve the national debt .

"If I were to vote, it would bring the issue back to 2027 and I want to act now," the donor replies.

On RMC, listener Jonathan sees the situation from a different angle. "If you give two euros to the state, it spends three. As long as they don't know how to manage the money, I don't see the point of giving," he counters. Another adds, "I also make a monthly donation to the state; it's called 'withholding tax'."

Bruno Alessi is more pragmatic and justifies his donations as a way of "bailing out" the debt. "I contribute in my own way. If each of the 41 million tax households contributed 10 euros per month, that would generate half a billion euros collected per month," he explains.

Among the many listener reactions this Wednesday morning, many do not understand this intention to "bail out" in the face of a "ship sinking due to futile spending."

On the streets of Paris, the idea of paying money to the state without being obligated to do so is divisive. While some criticize the concept, pointing to the taxes paid, others understand and are not opposed to the idea.

"It's not up to citizens to pay the debt, but I'm thinking 'why not' at the rate of 45 euros," a passerby explained to RMC.

Whether it's a one-off or regular donation, it will always be selfless. "No tax benefits are expected, and there are no tax breaks provided for a donation, unlike with charities or foundations. It's a purely patriotic act," explains tax lawyer Frederic Naïm. As a reminder, the state's public debt is estimated at €3,345.8 billion.