On November 5, 2024, Prime Minister Michel Barnier attended a session of questioning in the government at the National Assembly in Paris. During the session, he expressed his desire to understand what companies such as Auchan and Michelin have done with the public money they have received, as these companies are planning to close several sites, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs. Barnier stated that he is not proud of policies that lead to job destruction and emphasized the importance of knowing how public funds have been used by these companies.
In response to questions from Communist group President André Chassaigne, Barnier expressed his disagreement with Michelin’s decision to close its sites in Vannes and Cholet, where a total of 1,254 employees work. He mentioned that he had recently met with Michelin’s CEO, Florent Menegaux, to discuss the situation. Additionally, Auchan, a major retailer, is also planning to close a number of stores in an attempt to revamp its operations, leading to the loss of 2,389 jobs. Barnier highlighted the importance of working collaboratively with local stakeholders, including elected officials, unions, and business associations, to support affected employees and facilitate the transition of these areas.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to create or reinstate industrial jobs and support agricultural employment in the country. He announced the upcoming launch of an “industrial savings account” in early 2025 and discussed the importance of coordinated European responses to address unfair foreign competition. Barnier called for a more strategic approach and less naivety when dealing with international competition that may not always play by the rules. He stressed the importance of utilizing all available resources to support individual workers and the affected regions in their transition process.
Barnier underscored the importance of working closely with local communities, unions, and business organizations to support individuals affected by job loss and to assist regions in their transition process. He highlighted the importance of creating new industrial jobs and maintaining agricultural employment in the country. As part of these efforts, the government is planning to launch an industrial savings account in early 2025 to support job creation and economic growth. Barnier also called for stronger European collaboration to address unfair competition from foreign markets and emphasized the need for a more strategic approach in dealing with global economic challenges.
Overall, the Prime Minister’s statements reflect a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by companies such as Auchan and Michelin that are planning to close sites and cut jobs. He emphasized the need to scrutinize the use of public funds by these companies and called for a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to support affected workers and regions. Additionally, Barnier highlighted the importance of creating new job opportunities and strengthening the economy through targeted initiatives such as the industrial savings account. Moving forward, the government will continue to work towards supporting sustainable job growth and addressing unfair competition at the European level.
