Bruno Retailleau, the Republicans' candidate in the presidential election, proposes not replacing 400,000 civil service positions and estimates that artificial intelligence would make it possible to save 300,000 posts in the state civil service and the local civil service.
According to details reported by France Info, these 300,000 posts would be split between 150,000 not replaced and 150,000 reassigned.
The candidate thus links staff reductions to a reorganization of public-sector work as he presents a set of measures on administration, education, justice and health.
On justice, Bruno Retailleau wants to build 40,000 additional prison places.
The candidate proposes a referendum on criminal justice policy and the abolition of the sentence enforcement judge.
In education, Bruno Retailleau opposes the single middle school and proposes an entrance exam for sixth grade in order to select pupils according to their level.
He advocates the creation of free, autonomous public schools in which the head of the establishment would choose the teachers.
He also wants to raise the salaries of teachers at the start of their careers by 135 euros a month.
Finally, he wants to allow retired doctors to return to work.