Illustrative image of the National School of Administration (ENA). – Patrick HERTZOG / AFP
It is a symbol that is disappearing. This Thursday, the President of the Republic officially announced the abolition of the National School of Administration (ENA). He intends to replace it with a “Public Service Institute” (ISP). A renamed ENA which must become more open, more diverse and more in tune with society, promised Emmanuel Macron.
“The ISP will train all student administrators of the State and will integrate a common core to 13 public service schools”, “a profound revolution in terms of recruitment” in the public service, specified the Head of State in front of 600 senior officials gathered by videoconference, in a speech transmitted by the Elysee Palace.
Founded in 1945
The Head of State spoke to 600 senior officials gathered for the State Managerial Convention, organized by videoconference by Matignon. On April 25, 2019, at the end of the great post-crisis national debate on “yellow vests”, Emmanuel Macron created a surprise by announcing “the abolition of the ENA” and the end of the large bodies (Council of State, Court of Auditors, Financial Inspectorate, Mines, Bridges etc.).
The objective of this reform, prepared for several months by the Minister of Transformation and the Civil Service Amélie de Montchalin, is “to offer the French a closer, more efficient, more transparent and more benevolent public service”, explains the ‘Elysium. A large part of this reform will be included in an ordinance which must be adopted before June 7 after its consideration in the Council of Ministers at the end of May. Created in 1945 by General de Gaulle, the ENA, which selects some 80 students per year, is regularly criticized for its elite training “above ground”.