Cour des comptes proposes freezing public-sector promotions to save money in Budget 2027, Digi Mart USA News: France’s Court of Audit presented 18 measures applicable in 2027 to restore public finances at a press conference on Monday, November 9, saying the measures could achieve “up to 38 billion euros in savings.”
The Court of Audit proposes freezing public-sector promotions for one year. The institution, led by former minister Amélie de Montchalin, unveiled the package of 18 measures on Monday, which could be applied as early as next year to correct public finances.
“We wanted to put this set of 18 measures into the public debate, all examined, all costed by the Court, and all feasible and integrable in the short term,” said Amélie de Montchalin, first president of the Court of Audit, at a press conference presenting the report “Contribution to the restoration of public finances, short-term measures and medium-term levers for action.”
Among these measures is the “suspension for one year of advancements and promotions in the civil service,” which could bring in 3.9 billion euros. Carine Camby, president of the Court’s first chamber, argued that freezing advancements and promotions “is difficult for public employees” but would have “a massive effect on the evolution of the wage bill.”
Such a measure, however, would likely fuel anger among civil servants, who have already been affected by a freeze on their index point, while six civil service unions have called for a strike on November 17. Christian Grolier, general secretary of the Fédération générale des fonctionnaires-Force ouvrière, told Le Monde: “It’s one more provocation.
The Court is sitting on what remains the only means of improving the purchasing power of public employees.” Caroline Chevé, general secretary of the FSU, said: “It’s pouring oil on the fire.”
The government itself is not in favor of this measure. According to the entourage of Minister of Action and Public Accounts David Amiel, cited by Le Monde, the executive “did not wish to include this measure in the budget preparation.” That clarification is significant, as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to meet civil service trade unions in Matignon on Friday.
Other proposed measures include a “non-revaluation of social benefits (excluding minimum social benefits),” estimated to save 4.8 billion euros in 2027, and a reduction of teaching staff “by up to 5,000 full-time equivalents” at the start of the 2027 school year, saving 100 million euros due to changes in school demographics.
The Court of Audit also considers raising the intermediate 10% VAT rate “to 13%” for 4.3 billion euros, a change that would notably affect restaurant services and renovation work in older housing. Amélie de Montchalin stressed that these measures “are obviously addressed to parliamentarians who, in the current debates, are trying to give France a budget.”
