In a bid to address a significant budget shortfall, the French government under Prime Minister Michel Barnier is considering substantial cuts to the public sector.

With a target of saving 60 billion euros by 2025, the government is exploring measures such as merging public services and not replacing retiring civil servants who are not in direct contact with citizens.

This move marks a shift from previous policies, as the number of public sector employees has steadily increased over the past two decades.

Currently, France employs 5.67 million public sector workers, and the proposed changes aim to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

The government believes these measures could help recover a portion of the 40 billion euros needed to balance the upcoming budget.