The head of French aerospace giant Safran has ignited a political row after declaring the company will no longer invest in cities governed by environmentalist majorities.
Remarks made last week by Safran CEO Olivier Andriès have reignited the debate around France’s push for “green reindustrialisation” – or sustainable development – highlighting divisions over how to balance economic growth with environmental concerns.
Speaking before a parliamentary inquiry into barriers to reindustrialisation, Andriès sharply criticised Green Party members in Rennes for opposing a proposed foundry that would create some 500 jobs, accusing them of blocking progress based on ideology.
“We had a solid agreement with the Socialist mayor,” Andriès explained to the panel. “Then the Greens started throwing tomatoes – literally and figuratively – saying it was scandalous. They didn’t want an aerospace group setting up shop [in their town], claiming it would pollute, that it’s linked to the military and therefore unacceptable.”
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As a result, Andriès said Safran – in which the French state holds a 12 percent stake – would no longer consider investing in any city led by a Green majority.
“Whenever we have options for expansion, I will turn down any proposals from such municipalities,” the CEO said.
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