Laurent Marcangeli Takes Over French Public Service Ministry with Focus on Simplification

Outgoing minister Guillaume Kasbarian defends controversial cost-cutting measures as Marcangeli pledges a streamlined approach.

Laurent Marcangeli officially succeeded Guillaume Kasbarian as France's Minister of Public Service, emphasizing the need to 'simplify' government operations.
Kasbarian, departing after his ministry faced a no-confidence vote, defended his tenure, citing €2 billion in savings from unpopular measures like reducing sick leave benefits and freezing public sector pay adjustments.
Marcangeli inherits a ministry still reeling from mass protests earlier this month, where hundreds of thousands opposed Kasbarian's austerity policies.
The former minister criticized France's long-standing fiscal policies, arguing that the country spends more than it collects and taxes more heavily than any other OECD nation.
Marcangeli acknowledged the precariousness of his position in the government but vowed to continue efforts to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency.