Sébastien Lecornu Announces Mega-Decree to Simplify Municipal Governance at Mayors' Congress

At the closing of the 107th Congress of Mayors in Paris on November 20, 2025, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized his commitment to easing the administrative burdens faced by local governments as they prepare for the next municipal term. Lecornu, a former mayor himself, sought to reassure local officials by announcing a forthcoming "mega-decree" scheduled for release by Christmas aimed at eliminating excessive and often surreal regulations that complicate municipal management.

The initial draft of this regulatory overhaul will introduce 30 measures, with an additional 70 measures expected in early 2026. Key proposals include shortening the waiting periods for commercial planning commissions and legitimizing videoconference meetings, which could streamline decision-making processes. Lecornu also highlighted the removal of mandatory bi-monthly inspections for incinerators and the controversial annual draining of municipal swimming pools, both changes that received enthusiastic support from the mayoral audience.

While Lecornu acknowledged the daily challenges mayors confront, he notably refrained from clarifying issues regarding decentralization and the 2026 budget, leaving some questions unanswered. Nonetheless, his address aimed to foster a sense of calm and signal concrete steps toward simplifying local governance frameworks.

This initiative reflects Lecornu’s broader vision to start the upcoming municipal term with greater simplicity and efficiency, reducing administrative red tape and enhancing the practical governance capacities of France’s municipalities.