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Comparing efforts to reform Public Administration in Italy and in France

    • Rome
    • 12 October 2016

          The participants at this seminar observed that Italy and France have both necessitated proper administrative reform apt to improve the competitiveness of their economic systems and make the relationship between citizens and the State simpler and more immediate. In Italy and France alike, the formulation and implementation of such reforms have had a number of factors in common.

          Firstly, both French and Italian reforms in this area have sprung from the need to comprehensively redraw the boundaries of responsibility as between the various administrative authorities, so that the simplification and reduction of red tape may lead to an improved  standard and efficiency of public services in future. Another motivating factor for the reforms has been to reorganize the geographic distribution of administrative authorities, as well as to recruit younger people as public servants and executives with the aim of counteracting the aging of the public sector and promoting a culture of meritocracy.

          It was further noted that administrative reform in the two countries has also been driven by a need to rationalize public spending and devise a better allocation of resources so as to improve the productivity and performance of public offices. Lastly, it was acknowledged that the imperative of stepping up the transition towards the provision of e-government services has played and will continue to play a major role. Indeed, investment in the e-government sector is considered pivotal in both countries in order for the modernization of administrative procedures to result in greater administrative efficacy and efficiency, while at the same time ensuring the highest level of data protection possible for individuals and businesses.

          Finally, the participants also examined the functions carried out by the Council of State in each of the countries. In particular, having looked at their similarities and differences, it was observed that the two institutions have played a crucial role in a consultative and advisory capacity, including with respect to the recent reforms, and that the coherence and guiding principles of administrative justice in both Italy and France continue to owe much to their contribution.

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