“There is not a firm desire for protectionism”, believes MEP Marion Maréchal

The French pharmaceutical group Sanofi has announced that it is in negotiations with an American fund to sell it a majority stake in Opella, an entity which markets the very popular paracetamol brand Doliprane. News which raises concerns about the possible relocation of production as well as the health sovereignty of France. Marion Maréchal returned to this news: “This shocks me enormously. I have no confidence in the government’s ability to enforce the conditions it sets. Because, very regularly when there is a takeover by foreign investment funds and strategic companies, we are guaranteed that the head office will remain in France, that Research and Development will remain in France so that jobs are not affected… And everything shows each time that these promises are not kept.”. The MEP also added: “It is all the more deplorable since there was clearly a French counter-offer that the government did not particularly wish to push.”

The other important file concerns the 2025 finance bill which was presented Thursday to the Council of Ministers. The 2025 Draft Budget notably proposes a tax increase for the wealthiest households and for the largest businesses. “It is a budget of false savings and real tax increases. It is also a lying budget because the government explains that there are in reality 70% savings for 30% tax increases whereas it would be the opposite.

Watch the full interview in the video above.