He didn’t hesitate. Monday April 11, the day after the first round of the presidential election, Jean-François Rial, CEO of Voyageurs du monde, called for Emmanuel Macron to vote on Twitter: “Of coursewe must apply the republican front. Thoroughly! All against the party of exclusion, the party of Putin and the party of economic disaster for the less privileged among us, because the better off will always get by. »
The next day, he did it again on Facebook, making fun of any backlash. In 2002, when – already – he had called to block the National Front (FN), the far-right weekly Minute had called for a boycott of Voyageurs du monde.
“It is unacceptable to be a tour operator and to defend xenophobic values”, repeats Mr. Rial, before admitting that this argument, essential for him, carries less and less. This is why he invokes another: “Many of those who vote Marine Le Pen fear for their purchasing power. But, if the candidate of the RN [Rassemblement national] is elected, it is not a problem of purchasing power that they will have but of employment because his election will lead to a major loss of confidence in the economy of the country “he warns.
The reactions were quick: “I am accused of being a boo giver of lessons. But, too bad, this educational work is essential. »
Nicolas Théry, the president of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, meanwhile, wrote to its directors. “Mutualism is based on fundamental values of solidarity, democracy, concern for the common interest and inclusion, at the service of each and everyone, regardless of origin, opinion or social situation.he pointed out. Now, today, we need to overhaul the republican and social pact, to build a united and fraternal society and to fight against climate change, within the framework of a strong Europe. » “This is why, personally, I will vote for Emmanuel Macron, whom I expect to live up to these collective and mutualist values”insisted this former leader of the CFDT, the only union to call to vote for the outgoing president.
“It is my duty to express myself”
These individual public positions are rare. Even if, in private, many business leaders admit “very worried” in the face of such an election with such heavy consequences, they feel that they are not in a position to take sides.
“Let’s not forget that our companies serve the French state, regardless of the head of state. We are not in an easy position to say that we prefer such and such a candidate.argues, for his part, a boss in the defense sector. “We do not want to exacerbate tensions. You have to be careful how the social body can react”confesses a boss of the CAC 40 who does not wish to speak openly, like most of his peers.
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