ITS NAME has an almost mythic resonance, its position as a pillar of French meritocracy and a finishing school for France’s future leaders unchallenged for more than half a century.
Since its creation by Charles de Gaulle in 1945, the École Nationale d’Administration has produced two French presidents, seven of the last 10 prime ministers, the majority of senior civil servants and scores of government ministers, including six current ones. Its graduates fill the corridors of political and corporate power, and competition for places is intense.
Eyebrows have been raised, therefore, by the contents of a decidedly unflattering assessment of the latest batch of candidates by the chairwoman of the current selection committee.
In a report written after whittling a list of 1,493 names down to 80 for admission next autumn, Michèle Pappalardo lamented that applicants were too conformist, deferential and short of intellectual courage.
"We were not dazzled by the candidates' originality," Ms Pappalardo, herself an énarque, wrote in her report. While the 80 successful candidates would be "very good future senior civil servants", the selection panel noticed "too much conformism, starting with their choice of clothing".
“Apart from a blouse, two jackets, a coloured tie and a single pair of corduroy trousers…all the other candidates were in black, charcoal-grey or marine blue business suits,” Ms Pappalardo remarked. This “uniform they feel compelled to put on” indicated their “inability to distinguish themselves by style, a little originality or risk-taking”.
The head of the selection panel was also struck by an “absence of courage” during interviews.
“Very few candidates really tried to convince the committee of their positions, or even dare give a view. They either did not know or did not want to argue, and were all too ready to change their point of view.”
Overall, the standard of applicants’ knowledge was average compared to other years, but the panel noticed that their grasp of history was limited, with “huge gaps” in some cases – notably on 20th century history.
The report did manage to challenge some enduring myths, however. Contrary to the assumption that relatives of senior civil servants dominate the competition, the panel pointed out that the majority of applicants came from provincial France.
And contrary to the stereotype of the arrogant, conceited énarque, the report found that candidates were more likely to be "too modest" and self-deprecating.
