Melanie Faure
Amélie de Montchalin justified the government’s use of private consulting firms in the management of the coronavirus crisis. The Minister of Transformation and the Public Service announced this Wednesday at the microphone of Sonia Mabrouk, a few hours before her appearance before the Senate for a commission of inquiry into consulting expenses, the desire to gradually have recourse to officials.
The Senate is holding a commission of inquiry on Wednesday into the growing influence of private consulting firms on public policy. Amélie de Montchalin is expected to testify. A few hours before her speech, the Minister of Transformation and the Public Service was invited by Sonia Mabrouk on Europe 1. After reacting to the Jean-Michel Blanquer controversy, she returned to the government’s use of cabinets private advice. Between March 2020 and February 2021, the Ministry of Health spent 11.35 million euros with seven consulting firms to develop a health policy. There is the American McKinsey, but also Citwell and Accenture.
Why such contracts? “It’s not them who make the decision,” pleaded Amélie de Montchalin. “When we have skills in the state, we don’t use outside advice.” The Minister, who never ceases to praise the efficiency of the French administration, indicated the creation of internal consulting firms and better training of civil servants thanks to the reform of the senior civil service.
A reform of the French senior civil service
Amélie de Montchalin defends a 15% reduction in consultancy spending from 2022. The Minister wanted to reassure the French: “Never, never, it is consultants who decide. (…) The decisions are the policies. The administration applies it. Thanks to the reform of the senior civil service and the better management of public money to which we are committed. Today we can not depend on people outside, when we have skills inside.”
Amélie de Montchalin concluded by pleading: “We want an efficient state, we want a state that has skills. We want a state that is capable of making its own decisions and never delegating its sovereignty to anyone.”