(en) France, Alternative Libertaire #224 - Spotlight: Notre-Dame-des-Landes - The State in the service of capital (fr)

Unlike his face slapstick movements of pigeons, the government does not seem willing to 
shrink the opposition to the proposed airport at Notre-Dame-des-Landes. Beyond the airport 
itself, two social projects have been fighting for 45 years. Examine the genesis of the 
project ... and the struggle that confronts. ---- The airport project in 
Notre-Dame-des-Landes is 45 years old, and he was inspired as a result of outdated view of 
the land. The idea of ??this airport effect emerges in the context of decentralization 
policies in the 1960s. In 1963, to fight against hyper-French, the Delegation for Spatial 
Planning and Regional Action (Datar) creates eight cities whose balance 
Nantes-Saint-Nazaire. Equip transport infrastructure establishes the territorial control 
of the state.

In the 1960s, the government justifies its policy by the theory of structural effects. Its 
principle is: "The dynamic regions are best served. Any improvement in the coverage of a 
region will therefore its economic development. " The facts have since contradicted this 
assertion, found in the arguments of pro-airports, motorway access since the North Meuse 
(Verdun) did not prevent its decline. Official bodies recognize stating in a report: "The 
development of motorways could even have perverse effects, transforming the newly served 
areas in the suburbs of the major economic centers [ 1 ]. '

A project 45 years old ...
In 1967, Notre-Dame-des-Landes is chosen to make the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, a "Rotterdam 
Air Europe" by creating an international freight airport in the north of the Loire, 
capable of accommodating Concorde. In 1974, the holding zone (Zad) is created, 1,225 
hectares that the department begins to acquire.

In 2000-2001, under the Jospin government, the project returns to become an international 
airport. In 2006-2010, a public inquiry is ordered, the Zad pass 1600 hectares. A 
declaration of public utility was passed in 2008, while 80% were against contributions. 
Without fear of conflict of interest, Bernard Hagelsteen, prefect from 2007 to 2011, 
oversees the exercise of democracy and now works at Vinci Highway.

In 2010, the government signed a contract with Vinci Concession 55, the famous 
public-private partnership (PPP). Pantouflage not stopping the Prefect, the President of 
Vinci Airports since 2008, Nicolas Notebaert, in charge of the exploitation of 
Notre-Dame-des-Landes, was advisor to the Minister of Transport in 2001, when the 
government-PS Green had revived the project.

40 years ... and resistance
Meanwhile, resistance was organized in the Nantes region and throughout France. In 1973, 
the Association for the Defence of the operators involved in the airport (ADECA) is 
created. It is the only organization authorized to participate in the debate and mixed 
solely on agricultural topics. In 2000, the Citizens' Association of populations affected 
by inter airport (ACIPA) born 3360 and brings together members and members. In 2009, the 
Committee elected doubting the relevance of the airport (CEDPA) is created. It brings 
together 1,000 elected representatives. The same year, the Camp for Climate Action 3000 
together people, peasants call to occupy and cultivate Zad. Settled there 150 to 200 people.

In 2011, a demonstration at the Nantes-Atlantique airport - the airport today - causes a 
violent police repression. In 2012, a new event takes place in Nantes and gathers 10,000 
people. May began a hunger strike several farmers during the presidential campaign. June 
21, clashes erupt before the mayor of Notre-Dame-des-Landes against the initiation of the 
investigation prior to the declaration of public utility. The owners are offered 
compensation of 16 cents per square meter, a misery ...

On 16 October 2012, the government launched Operation Caesar, still ongoing, to forcibly 
evict the inhabitants of Zad and start work before the end of legal remedies. Holland and 
betray his campaign promise to wait for the completion of the procedures for the project. 
This police operation has resulted in a cost of three million. At a time when the money 
comes, says the government for rigor, missing in the coffers of the state, it is probably 
useful to ask if he could be used more wisely.

On November 17, 40,000 people demonstrated in Notre-Dame-des-Landes. Despite this 
exceptional mobilization of people from all over France and abroad, the government refused 
to make the slightest concession.

To money, the truth is silent
A study commissioned by the elected CEDPA has shown that the construction of the airport 
of Notre-Dame-des-Landes is a money pit with a deficit of 90 to 600 million per year. The 
optimization of the existing airport would benefit and cost 65 million euros. But the 
current airport Nantes Atlantique is far from being saturated: there are 10 to 12 aircraft 
per hour when he could absorb 35.

Superfluous, the new airport has the merit, from the point of view of the capitalist, be 
more financially lucrative redevelopment of the former. The new airport would cost 561 
million euros, Vinci bring 310 and 246 public contributions. In this contract, Vinci has 
negotiated a 12% yield of guaranteed profits so paid by taxpayers. The tram-train link 
(150 million), roads, and the cost of CO2 emissions are not included in the project cost. 
No budget overruns were anticipated, but must rely on at least 30 to 35% passing (80 to 
100 million more). Thus, public contributions will actually be 400 to 500 million euros.

Thus, Jean-Marc Ayrault, in his "choice of society to meet the challenges of our time," 
referee for multinationals that capture the public money, debt in the community, socialize 
their losses and destroy the environment.

AL collective of Nantes

[ 1 ] Questioning some strategic choices about the communications infrastructure, Report 
of Inquiry, 1997-1998.