Politics · France · 2 days ago
Bruno Le Maire says power has shifted to tech and finance giants
Bruno Le Maire says big technology and finance companies now have more power than governments.
He argues that France’s government is too slow and has too many staff.
He wants fewer ministers and smaller ministerial teams.
These are his views about how power and government work.
Former French economy minister Bruno Le Maire says power has shifted to technology and finance companies.
He argues that the French state has become too slow and inefficient compared with major technology companies.
Le Maire made the comments in an interview on the franceinfo podcast “Dans les yeux d’Agathe.”
He left political life in 2024 and later joined Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML as an adviser.
He also called for smaller government teams and more efficient workplaces for ministers.
- Who
- Bruno Le Maire, France’s former economy minister.
- What
- He said power had shifted to technology and finance giants and criticised the French state’s efficiency.
- When
- The interview was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- On the franceinfo podcast “Dans les yeux d’Agathe.
- Why
- He said major technology companies were agile, fast, powerful and had vast financial resources.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Le Maire stepped back from political life after about 20 years in ministerial offices.
He returned to government as defence minister, but his return lasted only a few hours.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned, triggering a political crisis.
franceinfo published Le Maire’s podcast interview.
- Former role
- Economy minister from 2017 to 2024
- Current role
- Adviser to ASML
- ASML
- Dutch manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment
- Government proposal
- Ten ministers, rather than 35 or 40
- Cabinet proposal
- Five staff members per minister, rather than 15
What people are saying
The power has gone elsewhere. It has gone to the technology giants and the finance giants.
The French state has unfortunately become too cumbersome, not fast enough in its decisions, not efficient enough.
It feels good to be free, but it is true that it is a big change.
Sources
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