The French government is working on a new law, originally called “Macron 2” but now referred to as “Pacte 2” by the Ministry of Economy. The goal of the law is to eliminate regulations, reduce delays, facilitate hiring, and increase the thresholds for triggering obligations. President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for a second law for growth, activity, and economic opportunities during a press conference, promoting a more common-sense approach to governing. The simplification initiative was originally launched by the Ministry of Economy, but gained momentum after a wave of anger from farmers over excessive regulations earlier in the year.
A thorough online consultation with business leaders, especially smaller ones, was conducted to identify the most burdensome regulations and sources of frustration. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire described how the consultation revealed the most “irritating” regulations and factors causing anger among business owners. The government aims to revolutionize the relationship between administration and businesses through this initiative. Around fifty measures have been identified, some of which will be included in a bill to be examined by the Senate starting on June 3. Another set of measures, targeting individuals, was announced by government spokesperson Gabriel Attal, including automatic disbursement of school grants, online voting proxies, and the opening of three hundred France Services centers.
Prime Minister Philippe emphasized the need to utilize artificial intelligence to simplify bureaucracy and make government services more user-friendly. Each ministry will have a designated correspondent responsible for identifying areas that can be simplified and potentially turned into legislation as part of a “simplification spring”. Some of the measures aimed at businesses include the elimination of all Cerfa forms by 2030, cutting the commercial code in half, and streamlining payslips from 55 to 15 lines by 2027. Additionally, there will be reduced timelines for mining research permits and exemptions for industrial projects from the zero net artificialization policy, which aims to limit the loss of natural, agricultural, and forested areas.
The government’s efforts to simplify regulations and bureaucracy have gained support from various sectors, with the hope of building a majority in the National Assembly for the bill. By addressing the concerns and needs of businesses and individuals, the government aims to create a more efficient and user-friendly environment for economic growth and development. The focus on leveraging technology, such as artificial intelligence, is seen as a key component of modernizing government services and increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of administrative processes.
Overall, the government’s push for simplification through the Pacte 2 law reflects a commitment to reducing red tape, streamlining processes, and promoting economic growth. By identifying and addressing burdensome regulations and bureaucratic obstacles, the government aims to create a more favorable environment for businesses to thrive and for individuals to access government services more easily. Through a combination of legislative changes, technological innovations, and administrative reforms, the government seeks to foster a culture of innovation and efficiency in both the public and private sectors.
