Paris – 17.06.2026: In a statement published on June 16, 2026, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu calls on the ministers of his cabinet to undergo mandatory and unannounced drug tests, through saliva tests, within their ministries. This measure aims to ensure the integrity and professionalism of the government.
The order involves all ministries and intends to ensure that the employees of each ministry are free from narcotics. The tests will be conducted without prior notice, to increase the effectiveness of the measure. The test results will be treated confidentially and, in case of a positive outcome, appropriate measures will be taken.
This initiative follows the recent efforts by the government to strengthen public safety and promote citizens’ trust in state institutions. Previously, Prime Minister Lecornu had called for a “change in the scale of the response” to drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against organized crime requires a strengthened reaction.
The measure has been welcomed by various political parties, which emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the government and strengthen public trust. However, there have also been critical voices questioning the effectiveness of such tests and highlighting the need for a broader strategy to combat drug abuse and corruption within the government.
The government has announced that the test results will be reviewed regularly and that, if necessary, additional measures will be taken to ensure the effectiveness of the initiative. Furthermore, training programs will be developed for ministry employees to raise awareness about the risks of drug use and the importance of maintaining high professional standards.
This decision by Prime Minister Lecornu underlines the government’s commitment to improving public safety and strengthening citizens’ trust in state institutions. Through the implementation of such measures, the government hopes to send a clear signal against drug abuse and for the integrity of public administration.
The implementation of this measure will be monitored over the coming weeks and months to assess its effectiveness and possibly make adjustments. The government reiterates that the integrity and professionalism of its staff are of utmost importance and that such initiatives are necessary to maintain the public’s trust in state institutions.
Overall, this measure represents a further step in the government’s broad initiatives to strengthen public safety and promote citizens’ trust in state institutions. By combining preventive and reactive measures, the government hopes to establish an effective strategy to combat drug abuse and corruption within the public administration.