France formalizes the abolition of its diplomatic corps

The aim is to enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tap into a larger pool of people to serve in embassies and consulates.

(illustrative image) AFP Photo/Jean-Pierre Muller/Files

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Announced at the end of 2021 and wanted by Emmanuel Macron, France formalized on Monday April 18 the abolition of its diplomatic corps.

A controversial decision when the function of diplomat has always been reserved for an elite.

A few days before the second round of the presidential election, the opposition, led by Marine Le Pen, did not fail to express its dissatisfaction.

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For several decades, French diplomats had come either from the prestigious National School of Administration, the ENA, or from the very selective Eastern competition.

With this reform, this method of selection is now over.

The aim is to allow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tap into a larger pool of people to serve in embassies and consulates.

To do this, the government is creating a new entity bringing together all the administrators of the State.

Future diplomats could therefore be former prefects, sub-prefects or even finance inspectors.

On the political reaction side Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon strongly criticized the decision of President Emmanuel Macron.

The candidate of the Rassemblement Nationale qualified for the second round accuses him of " 

".

Same observation with Jean Luc Mélenchon eliminated in the first round, who also regrets the destruction of the French diplomatic network " 

old ".

The measure will come into force on July 1.

Until then, the diplomats will be able to remain in a corps put in extinction.

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• Diplomacy