Catherine Vautrin, the French Minister for Territorial Partnership and Decentralization, emphasized the importance of supporting local mayors during the opening of the 106th Congress of Mayors in Paris. Amid anger over government-imposed budget cuts totaling 5 billion euros, an alarming 83% of mayors report feeling stressed. Vautrin acknowledged the pressures of financial responsibilities and promised prompt discussions on security issues as well as legislative support for local elected officials. She affirmed that mayors are vital to the country and highlighted the notion of sovereignty tied to financial challenges.