The reform of the diplomatic corps, stemming from the extremely rare strike at the Quai d’Orsay in early June, risks weakening France’s influence at the international level and must be stopped by adding at least safeguards; suggests a Senate report released Tuesday, July 19.
“This reform does not bring any improvement, on the contrary, the status and efficiency of our diplomats.This was announced by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Christian Cambon, during a press conference held in Paris.
Reform of the higher civil service
“This is quite a serious problem at a time when we need more than ever to strengthen our diplomacy and (…) experienced and competent diplomats.He added that, in particular, referring to Iran’s nuclear issue or the activity of Beijing and Moscow. In a late afternoon hearing by the committee, foreign policy chief Catherine Colonna warned that she would not “there can be no suspensionof “a”.the reformation is complete“relax”on ordinances and decrees“and assured that”guaranteeswas achieved.
The reform of the top civil service sought by Emmanuel Macron creates a new body of public administrators and provides that senior civil servants are no longer tied to a particular administration, but instead are invited to change regularly during their careers. For the 700 or so diplomats directly affected by the reform, that translates to a merger, and then a “paying off» progressive until 2023 of the two historic bodies of French diplomacy: plenipotentiary ministers (ambassadors) and foreign affairs advisers.
The Senate wants to block this reform
It is clear that these two bodies may now be staffed by public administrators, and no longer by trained diplomats for the most part, which in particular makes critics fear a loss of knowledge in the field and, ultimately, a crisis of professions. Implementation of the reformweakens the French diplomatic apparatus and will weaken French influenceSenators Jean-Pierre Grand (Independents – Republic and Territories) and Andre Vallini (Socialist, Environmentalist and Republican) noted in the report.
Faced with this observation, the Senate Committee urges “suspend“implementing reforms to “take the time to start an in-depth dialogue with the staffand implement eight of its recommendations, which are intended as safeguards. In the report, in particular, it is recommended to make it a condition for becoming the head of a diplomatic mission.perform the functions of diplomatic mission number 2 for at least three years– However, an exception may be made for 20% of ambassadorial positions.
It also proposes to impose a right of control over the commissions in the form of a public notice.”competent permanentParliament on the appointment of ambassadors to major international forums such as the G20. On June 2, several dozen diplomats, supported by veteran ambassadors on Twitter, gathered in front of the Quai d’Orsay to express their “fatigueand their angerlack of considerationthe content, according to them, in the reform.
Source: Le Figaro
