French Minister Emulates trump with “Doge“-Style Agency Overhaul to Slash Administrative Costs
Paris – September 19, 2025 – French armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is enacting a sweeping reorganization of defense-related agencies, drawing a direct parallel to former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s approach to streamlining government. The initiative, dubbed internally as “Doge” – a reference to the internet meme favored by Trump – aims to suppress overlapping organizations and significantly reduce administrative expenses within the French military procurement and research sectors.
The restructuring, announced today, will consolidate numerous smaller entities under larger, more centralized authorities. Lecornu’s office stated the move is essential to address inefficiencies and redirect resources towards modernizing France’s defense capabilities amidst growing geopolitical tensions. The plan anticipates ample cost savings, though specific figures have not yet been released. Experts suggest the overhaul could impact hundreds of positions and reshape the landscape of French defense contracting.
Lecornu publicly acknowledged Trump’s influence on his thinking, stating in a recent interview, “the American example demonstrated the potential for notable gains by challenging established structures and eliminating redundancies.” The French minister’s strategy mirrors Trump’s focus on dismantling bureaucratic layers and prioritizing direct control over key agencies.
The reorganization will initially target organizations involved in military equipment procurement, technological research, and international cooperation. A key objective is to reduce the number of decision-makers involved in major projects, accelerating the acquisition of new technologies and streamlining the bidding process for defense contracts.the move has already sparked debate among industry stakeholders and labor unions,who express concerns about potential job losses and the impact on innovation. Further details of the plan, including a timeline for implementation and specific agency mergers, are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
