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Bayrou Unveils Territorial Reform to Strengthen Prefects’ Authority

He presented a roadmap to merge state operators for multibillion-euro savings, with amendments to the 2004 decree set for the Council of Ministers later this month

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Le premier ministre François Bayrou a présenté la reforme de l’administration territoriale de l’État, le 8 juillet 2025, à Chartres.
Le Premier ministre François Bayrou veut renforcer l’autorité des préfets dans les départements, dans une réforme dont il détaillera les contours dès demain.

Overview

  • The reform centralizes coordination, management and expanded derogation powers in departmental prefects to unify state action at the local level
  • A June Senate proposal law on prefect derogations provides the legislative basis for cutting red tape and adapting regulations to local needs
  • A plan to merge or suppress about one-third of public operators aims to deliver €2–3 billion in savings by 2027 as France closes a €40 billion budget gap
  • Bayrou will table changes to the April 2004 decree in late July’s Council of Ministers before seeking approval from the National Assembly and the Senate
  • Health and Education ministries have voiced concerns over loss of regional autonomy, and the reform must overcome internal reservations ahead of its parliamentary debate