Medef launches a "front" to put the economy back at the center of public debate

At a time when France is experiencing strong political instability and the economy is not very present in public debate, "the conviction that we share is that we need more rationality", assured Patrick Martin, president of the leading employers' organisation, when presenting the project to the press.

"We also need more objectivity and more diversity to fuel this public debate," he said, and "to identify the ways and means that will allow our country to succeed."

"I said at the start of my term that I wanted to embody a Medef of assertion, well we are asserting ourselves," he continued.

While relations between social partners are currently much calmer than the political climate, Mr. Martin hoped that the trade union organizations could be associated with the work, if they wished.

He lamented that the economic debate had become "impoverished" in recent years "particularly because of politicians". He hoped that the initiative would "broaden the field of vision" of the latter.

Co-president of the Economic Front with Patrick Martin, the economist Philippe Aghion judged for his part that there was "a lot of economic illiteracy, even among politicians".

The Economic Front wants to establish a roadmap that political decision-makers can use.

Composed of around a hundred people, sharing a pro-business vision of the economy, it will work in seven thematic "task forces": "produce and innovate", "work and remunerate", "invest and decarbonize", "develop businesses", "refocus public action", "succeed", and "exchange".

Each group will be co-chaired by an economist and a business leader. A global restitution will be published in the summer, or before if political events require it.

Among the member economists are, in addition to Philippe Aghion, Xavier Jaravel, Alexandra Roulet, specialist in labor issues, Christian Gollier, Thomas Philippon, Emmanuel Combe, Julien Damon, Denis Ferrand, David Djaiz and Patrick Artus.

Think tanks will also be present in each working group: the Institute of Business, Rexecode, the Factory of Industry, Enterprises and Cities, the Sapiens Institute or GénérationLibre.

Mr. Martin assured that he wanted to "bring" the solutions that will be proposed "to the greatest number" of citizens and politicians. Two business leaders specializing in communication will thus be responsible for making the production of the Economic Front known to the public.