Big sweep in the prefecture! This Wednesday morning in the Council of Ministers, Emmanuel Macron proceeded to the appointment of thirteen new prefects. A wave which should continue next week in a similar proportion. In total, almost a quarter of the departments are therefore affected by a replacement in just a few days. It is quite simply the most important movement of its kind since the start of the quinquennium!
Does this reflect a desire to restore some order in this body? Since his election in May 2017, the Head of State - still anxious to see his reforms applied on the ground - has never hidden his will to make large-scale changes in French senior administration. The famous "spoil system" inspired by the American model to have civil servants in line with government policy.
In April 2017, then a candidate for the Elysée Palace, Macron had effectively announced the color: "I will change or confirm all of the management positions in the public service". To date, already two thirds of the directors of central administrations, or 128 out of a total of 194, have already been replaced or displaced. From now on, he is also accelerating the prefects, having already appointed 55 new ones between the day after his election and the end of 2019.
Time to find the right profiles
In recent weeks, the Head of State has even invested personally in the recruitment of new graduates, most of whom were already prefects. "He did not receive them himself. But he spent quite a bit of time with the Minister of the Interior to find the right profiles, ”we recognize. Until examining their professional backgrounds, their previous experiences in the prefecture, in particular "their ability to work with local elected officials, business leaders, etc. But this is not a political movement. These are choices made with discernment for more efficiency, "argues the Elysee Palace which rejects any" desire for control ".
Even if the intention to have representatives fully committed to the implementation of his policy is indeed there: “He is concerned with efficient administration. He wants field managers. Women and men who are aware of the presidential roadmap, in particular on the implementation of reforms because the president is attentive to the follow-up of the voted texts ", recognizes an adviser, while insisting on" the objective of renewal, of rejuvenation and feminization ”.
In fact, of the thirteen appointed on Wednesday, six are women. And while the average age of prefects was 54.5 years in 2018, it is now 47 years. More so far from the age of the head of state which is 42 years old… “At this rate, we will get there by the end of the five-year term. We will then be in full alignment! "Laughs a member of the government.
