Breaking down in the polls, the ecologist Yannick Jadot holds his stunt: he offered Wednesday a standoff against TotalEnergies, which announced to sue him in defamation for having accused the multinational of “complicity in war crimes by its activity in Russia.
Unlike his competitor Jean-Luc Mélenchon, largely in the lead on the left and who is seeking the “useful vote”, but remains discreet about this company, Yannick Jadot has constantly pointed the finger at the involvement of TotalEnergies in Russia since the start of the war. in Ukraine.
“An insult”, denounces the CEO of Total
A way also to speak about his identity as an ecologist favorable to renewable energies and destroyer of fossil fuels. On Wednesday morning, the CEO of the French group Patrick Pouyanné decided to counterattack on RTL. “When Mr. Jadot accuses the 100,000 employees of Total (of war crimes, editor’s note), it is extremely serious, it is an insult, (…) it is not acceptable”, he declared , ” angry “.
“Mr. Jadot spends his time speaking ill of my business. What I observe is that it lowers him in the polls; he better get on with his campaign and stop insulting us,” he snapped.
No withdrawal of TotalEnergies from Ukraine
The group had indicated on Tuesday to stop all purchases of Russian oil or petroleum products before the end of 2022 in the face of “the worsening of the conflict” in Ukraine, but not of gas.
A “complementary” decision to the previously decided stoppage of capital contributions to new projects in Russia, which does not mean, however, that the group is withdrawing from the country.
Tweet from Yannick Jadot in the form of a response a few hours later: “TotalEnergies, supported by E. Macron, makes some concessions but maintains most of its activities in Russia, in full knowledge of the war crimes they help to finance. Yes, it is to be complicit! I call on P. Pouyanné, CEO of Total, to debate with me,” demanded the environmentalist candidate.
The “debate” will likely take place in court.
“Unacceptable remarks”
In a statement sent to AFP, TotalEnergies announced that it was launching “defamation action without delay” against “unacceptable” remarks, “extremely serious and unfounded”, adding that it would continue “its gas purchase operations in Russia to resell it , in particular in Europe for the benefit of European consumers”.
TotalEnergies claims to respect EU policy
“To be an ‘accomplice in war crimes’ is to provide direct assistance to a State or to a criminal organization that is the perpetrator of the crimes”, indicated the group, addressing Yannick Jadot directly: “Your remarks are particularly serious and unfounded against our company which does not operate any oil or gas fields in Russia. »
Denouncing an “insult to the integrity of (their) teams”, TotalEnergies affirmed to continue “its gas purchase operations in Russia to resell it, in particular in Europe for the benefit of European consumers”, all “in strict compliance with European Union policy and applicable European sanctions measures”.
Tackle at Mélenchon
Two environmental leaders have stepped up to defend the candidate on social networks. “No procedure will silence environmentalists,” wrote MP Delphine Batho, chief spokesperson for Yannick Jadot.
MEP David Cormand, former number 1 of EELV, drove the point home, even referring to the conciliatory position of Jean-Luc Mélenchon: “Burma, Uganda, Russia, Tanzania: everywhere in the world, Total is passing its interests before those of human rights and climate protection. There are those who think ‘Total should stay in Russia’, and there are environmentalists. Faced with Lobbyists, #JeSoutiensYannickJadot,” adds Mr. Cormand.