cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/63528654
The digital directorate in France will switch from Windows to Linux and the state is embarking on a major project to reduce the “outer European digital dependency”
The subject of digital sovereignty has been imposed in the public debate since the beginning of 2026 in the face of a hypothesis: and if the United States cut off access to some of its technologies in Europe.
In France, the Prime Minister commissioned the Inter-Ministerial Directorate of Digital Affairs (DINUM) to “reduce the state’s extra-European digital dependencies”. It is this body that supervises the computer equipment and the deployment of services to the various government administrations.
The first target is now known: it is Windows.
I have moved a lot of our company to LibreOffice, and were starting to push web clients for software vs thin clients, so it can be run from mobile, Apple, and Linux. I only have 2 Linux Mint PCs out in the wild for more savvy users and no issues so far either. The EDR works on multiple OSes which is nice, so still compliant.
The other nice thing I’ve seen Lenovo and Dell offer are PCs that come preloaded with Linux like Ubuntu iirc, slightly cheaper too.
Power users still on Excel and MS Office for features, troubleshooting, and familiarity, but so far, much smoother than anticipated. Just need to convince the powers that be to roll out more Mint!