Raphaël Glucksmann visited the MetEx factory in Amiens, which has been in judicial restructuring since March and has become a symbol of the European Union’s failures. Various candidates for the June 9 election, including La France insoumise (LFI) candidate Manon Aubry, visited the factory to show their support for the struggling industrial site. Francois Ruffin, also from LFI, took the opportunity to criticize Glucksmann for dividing the left. The factory is struggling due to European regulations preventing it from accessing raw materials at competitive prices and facing social dumping from China. Glucksmann, who has been fighting against China’s political strategy of undercutting European companies with subsidized labor, is using the situation to highlight the downsides of globalization.
During his visit to MetEx, Glucksmann met with company leaders and saw slogans displayed by employees expressing their distress, such as “No to Chinese dumping” and “Europe endorses, China kills us.” The company is on the verge of collapse due to a combination of restrictive EU regulations and Chinese social dumping practices made possible by lack of customs barriers. Glucksmann has been vocal about China’s exploitation of the Uighur population as forced labor and their disregard for environmental concerns. He emphasizes the negative impact of globalization on European companies and stresses the need for a more sustainable and fair industrial policy.
Wearing a hard hat and protective gear, Glucksmann toured the production units of the factory, highlighting his commitment to industrial revitalization as a key aspect of his political platform. He discussed EU measures such as a carbon border tax and exclusion of products from forced labor or deforestation, which he believes will affect the company’s production processes. Glucksmann’s visit underscores his dedication to addressing the challenges faced by European industries in the global market and his advocacy for policies that prioritize environmental and social responsibilities.
The competition between political candidates is evident as Glucksmann’s visit follows those of other politicians like Francois Ruffin, who also visited the factory to demonstrate solidarity with the workers and support the LFI candidate Manon Aubry. The candidates are using the factory as a backdrop to showcase their respective agendas, with Glucksmann focusing on issues related to China’s economic practices and the impact on European companies. The factory’s plight serves as a microcosm of larger economic and political challenges faced by the EU, with candidates offering different perspectives and solutions to address these complex issues.
The factory visit reflects the broader debates within the European political landscape, with each candidate presenting their vision for the future of the EU and its industrial policies. Glucksmann’s emphasis on social and environmental concerns aligns with his broader political platform, while his rivals critique his approach and offer alternative solutions. The factory visit becomes a stage for political posturing and positioning ahead of the upcoming elections, with candidates using the opportunity to engage with voters and demonstrate their commitment to addressing pressing issues such as globalization and economic challenges. The factory’s struggles and the responses of political candidates highlight the complexities of EU policies and the need for effective strategies to support European industries in an increasingly competitive global market.
