During the review of the 2026 budget, the French Senate passed amendments to not replace one in two retiring state civil servants. This measure, revived from the Sarkozy era, aims to cut state payroll costs. The National Assembly will have the final say on these proposals, which the left has criticized.
The Senate's debate on the 2026 budget, held on Saturday, December 6, focused on savings in the civil service. The right and center majority succeeded in passing amendments to curb personnel spending, which rose by 6.7% in 2024, as noted by LR Senator Claude Nougein.
The key amendment revives the principle of not replacing one in two retiring state civil servants, a rule from Nicolas Sarkozy's time. It would lead to a cut of 23,000 positions annually in the state civil service, saving 350 million euros starting in 2026. Core ministries—defense, interior, and justice—are exempted.
The Senate also approved an increase in sick leave waiting days for public employees. These moves drew sharp criticism from the left. Ecologist Thomas Dossus condemned 'punitive measures that reflect distrust toward the civil service,' calling the approach a 'guillotine' rather than a strategy.
The bill will return to the National Assembly, where deputies may overturn these amendments. This standoff highlights ongoing tensions over public finance management in France.