On April 27, 2025, Amélie de Montchalin, the Minister of Public Accounts, unveiled a sweeping plan to restructure the French state's public agencies, announcing that one third of these entities, excluding universities, will be merged or eliminated by the end of the year. This initiative, aimed at reducing public spending by 2%, is expected to generate savings of "2 to 3 billion" euros, as stated by Montchalin during an interview on CNews/Europe 1.
Montchalin emphasized the need for this overhaul, stating, "The State is going to clean up our organization because the French demand it." She noted that the current structure of public services has become "illegible" and difficult for citizens to understand, leading to inefficiencies. The minister added, "Today, we have 180,000 people working in agencies and operators, more than the number of gendarmes in the country," highlighting the significant workforce involved in these agencies.
Among the agencies and operators under scrutiny are the Agency Bio, the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe), the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), and the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP). Earlier this year, these entities faced potential elimination following a Senate vote in mid-January that included amendments targeting their funding and existence. Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, raised concerns regarding the efficiency of public spending, particularly questioning the more than 4 billion euro budget allocated to Ademe.
Montchalin's announcement comes as part of a broader effort to address France's growing public deficit, which widened to 5.8% of GDP in 2024. The government aims to reduce this deficit to 5.4% this year, requiring a budgetary effort of around 50 billion euros, recently reinforced by an additional 5 billion. Looking ahead, the government plans to further decrease the deficit to 4.6% by 2026 through an additional effort of 40 billion euros.
As part of the restructuring, Montchalin indicated that while some jobs will inevitably be lost, the government will explore options to minimize social disruption. "You have people retiring, and you have people you can consolidate; we have plenty of means without engaging in social destruction," she reassured. This approach aims to ensure that the process does not lead to significant job losses or social upheaval.
The Minister is set to appear before a Senate committee in mid-May 2025, where she will provide further details and announcements regarding the specific agencies and operators affected by this plan. This upcoming hearing follows a period of intense scrutiny and debate regarding the role and effectiveness of state agencies and operators, which are tasked with various public service missions across sectors such as health, environment, and territorial development.
State operators are distinct entities that operate under public or private legal status, entrusted with fulfilling public service missions on behalf of the state. Collectively, these operators represent an annual budget of approximately 91 billion euros. Notable examples include universities, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), Météo France, the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM).
Montchalin's initiative has sparked mixed reactions among labor unions and political figures. Sophie Binet, the General Secretary of the CGT, expressed skepticism and concern over the announcement, particularly criticizing the lack of prior consultation with stakeholders. This sentiment reflects a broader apprehension about the potential implications of such significant cuts to public services.
In a related context, Laurent Marcangeli, the Minister of Public Service, had previously stated that the government was "unfavorable in principle" to the elimination of state agencies or operators during discussions on a simplification bill in the National Assembly. This indicates a degree of internal conflict regarding the approach to managing public resources and services.
Critics of the plan, including Pierre Moscovici, the former President of the Court of Auditors, have argued that it is "mythical to think that these agencies are all useless." He emphasized that while many agencies require reform, very few should be entirely eliminated, advocating instead for a more nuanced approach to public service efficiency.
As the government prepares to implement these changes, the focus remains on balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain effective public services. The upcoming Senate hearings will likely play a critical role in shaping the final decisions regarding which agencies will be merged or eliminated, as well as how the government plans to address the concerns of workers and citizens alike.
Overall, the planned restructuring of state agencies represents one of the most significant efforts to reduce public spending in France in the past 25 years. As Montchalin noted, "Because we are asking for collective efforts, we must be impeccable in our organization of the State." The coming months will reveal how these proposals will unfold and their impact on public service delivery in France.
