French State Consulting Expenditures Surge by 31% in 2024 After McKinsey Scandal Cuts

The French government is set to increase its spending on consulting services by 31% in 2024 compared to 2023, marking a significant reversal after drastic cuts following the McKinsey scandal. Budget documents for the 2026 finance bill reveal planned consulting expenditures of 96.1 million euros for 2024, up from 73.4 million euros in 2023. This surge follows a sharp reduction from 271 million euros in 2021 to 137.3 million euros in 2022 and then to 73.4 million euros in 2023, reflecting heightened scrutiny after the scandal that erupted during President Emmanuel Macron's second term campaign.

The administrations led by Gabriel Attal and Michel Barnier oversaw these expenditure shifts. The spike indicates renewed reliance on consulting firms despite previous efforts to curtail external advisory costs amid political fallout. This change suggests a recalibration of government strategies concerning consulting services, which had been heavily criticized.

These developments signal evolving government priorities in managing public funds for consultancy and possibly addressing complex administrative needs that prompted increased outsourcing. The 31% rise in consulting service expenses points to a nuanced balance between fiscal prudence and operational demands post-scandal.