On 18 August, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu signed Circular No. 6554/SG on combating breaches of probity within public authorities and public institutions (Circulaire relative à la lutte contre les atteintes à la probité au sein des administrations et des établissements publics de l’Etat), setting out additional measures that can be implemented within the existing legal framework.

The Government links the need for these measures, in particular, to the development of organised crime. The document notes an increase in cases of unauthorised access to government information systems and databases containing sensitive information, as well as pressure and threats against public officials and other public-sector employees aimed at obtaining such information.

In particular, public authorities and institutions are instructed to:

• provide anti-corruption training for public officials and employees, with enhanced training for those holding positions exposed to higher corruption risks;
• pay particular attention to the training of managers and contract staff;
• improve access to internal and external reporting channels and inform public officials and employees about protections available to whistleblowers;
• identify and include in risk maps information systems and databases most exposed to the risk of unauthorised access, ensure the traceability of access to them and carry out random checks;
• systematically take potential breaches of probity into account when preparing risk maps and planning internal control and audit activities, including in the areas of public procurement, grants, the issuance of authorisations and access to sensitive information.

By the end of 2026, public authorities and institutions are also expected to develop dedicated training modules on breaches of probity where such programmes are not yet in place. From 2027, these modules are to be progressively incorporated into all relevant training programmes for public officials and employees.

A separate section of the Circular is devoted to disciplinary measures. Public authorities and institutions are instructed to systematically consider initiating disciplinary proceedings where the facts identified may indicate misconduct, regardless of whether criminal proceedings have been initiated or of their outcome. The full range of disciplinary sanctions provided for by law – from a warning to dismissal from the civil service – should be used according to the seriousness of the breach concerned.

When determining the appropriate sanction, consideration should be given to the nature and seriousness of the breach, the position held by the person concerned, any previous disciplinary sanctions and their conduct after the breach was identified. In particular, account may be taken of a voluntary disclosure of the breach made before the start of an administrative investigation and before the administration receives information about the relevant facts from other sources, as well as acknowledgement of the breach, cooperation in establishing the circumstances of the case and measures taken to remedy its consequences. Conversely, concealment or late disclosure of the facts, repeated misconduct, or a breach committed by a person performing managerial functions may be taken into account as aggravating factors when determining the sanction.

Public authorities and institutions are also encouraged to regularly provide public officials and employees with anonymised information on disciplinary sanctions imposed, the nature of the breaches and the circumstances in which they occurred. Such information is also expected to be used to update corruption risk maps and preventive measures.

Closer cooperation with public prosecutors is also encouraged. Where circumstances identified during an administrative investigation may indicate a broader corruption scheme or links to organised crime, the information may be referred to the financial intelligence unit TRACFIN.

Implementation of the Circular will be monitored annually by the French Anti-Corruption Agency (Agence française anticorruption) and the Directorate-General for Administration and the Civil Service as part of the monitoring of the National Multi-Year Anti-Corruption Plan. By 15 October 2026, ministries are required to report to the Prime Minister on the measures implemented, particularly in the areas of training, prevention and risk mapping.