French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said she will undergo a saliva-based drug test to demonstrate leadership and accountability.
The move signals a shift in how the French state monitors its leadership. By requiring high-ranking officials and ministerial cabinet members to submit to screenings, the government aims to eliminate narcotics use within the upper echelons of the civil service.
Bregeon, who also serves as the minister delegated for Energy, said the announcement during an interview on BFMTV [1]. The policy is part of a broader effort initiated by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to "re-open the hunt for drug consumers" among senior officials [2].
This mandate extends beyond the spokesperson's role to include various high-level government employees. The administration has framed the requirement as a necessity for public trust, and professional standards within Matignon and other government offices [1].
"I will take the anti-drug test, it is a question of exemplary behavior," Bregeon said [1].
The interview and the announcement of these measures took place on June 18, 2024 [1]. The government intends for these tests to serve as a deterrent, and a mechanism for ensuring that those in power adhere to the laws they enforce for the general public [2].
“"I will take the anti-drug test, it is a question of exemplary behavior,"”
This policy represents a tightening of internal discipline within the French executive branch. By implementing mandatory drug screenings for high-ranking officials, the administration is attempting to bridge the gap between legal mandates for the public and the conduct of the ruling class, prioritizing 'exemplarity' to maintain political legitimacy.
