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French ministers study British government (Henry Samuel, 22/09/2007, Daily Telegraph)

After years of spurning British political methods as incompatible with the French social model, Gallic ministers are flocking to London to seek inspiration on how to modernise their government.

At least six French ministers have crossed the channel since Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president in May.

The most recent was Eric Besson, the state secretary for prospectives and evaluation of public policies, who spent two days this week observing Gordon Brown's strategy unit and the national audit office.
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"When you decide to get inspiration from good practice in foreign countries, the British example springs to mind," he told Le Figaro upon his return.