A long hemorrhage … ArcelorMittal announced Wednesday, April 23, consider the abolition of 600 positions in the north of France – which would affect the support functions, relocated to India, but also production, to the surprise of the unions. For L’Express, Aquilino Morelle, former advisor to Lionel Jospin in Matignon (1997-2002) then from François Hollande to the Elysée (2012-2014) and essayist (last book published: The parable of the blindGrasset, 2024), recalls that in recent decades, the industrial devitalization of France has been the most brutal in the European Union. He returns to what he calls “the betrayal” of François Hollande and Jean-Marc Ayrault in 2012 on the Florange file, and regrets that today, despite the “circumstance tirades”, “no industrial policy, in any sector, has been implemented”. Interview.
L’Express: We learned on April 23 that Eclormittal envisaged the abolition of 600 jobs in France. The hemorrhage of this former French industrial flagship seems endless. What is the symptom?
Aquilino Morelle: The failure of the so -called “offer” policy: lowering corporate taxes is not enough to protect those of our industries which must be, or build competitive sectors. There is also a political will, an economic strategy, financial means and duration – all that is missing today. The industrial bleeding which devitates France therefore continues, the most brutal in the whole of the European Union. While the weight of industry still represents 20 % of GDP in Italy and 21 % in Germany, it is only 10 % in France. Many industrial valleys have been striped from the map. This is a comparable upheaval in its consequences to the rural exodus of the 1960s!
Aquilino Morelle, head of the presidential program of the Socialist Party (PS) candidate in the French election of 2012, poses on January 11, 2012 at the campaign headquarters of the PS in Paris. AFP Photo Fred Dufour (Photo by Fred Dufour / AFP)
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When the final closure of the Hautes-Fourneaux de Florange was announced on November 30, 2012, you were a political advisor to François Hollande, at the Elysée, and close to Arnaud Montebourg, Minister of Productive Recovery, who struggled on the file. How did you see and experienced things from the inside?
With disgusting. That evening, Jean-Marc Ayrault and François Hollande trampled on the commitments made during the presidential campaign. Going there and promising ArcelorMittal employees to help them had been a tactical maneuver for Holland, allowing him to make him believe that he was indeed “left” and cut the grass under the foot of Jean-Luc Mélenchon who threatened him then. He had never had the slightest intention of doing anything for these workers who counted on him; And when he found himself in front of Lakshmi Mittal, the boss of the group, a cynical and greedy man, he “dropped his bénard” – like the commented with his flowery language the deputy secretary general of the Elysée of the time, a certain Emmanuel Macron.
As for Ayrault, a narrow and resentful spirit, he saw only a good opportunity to take revenge on Arnaud Montebourg which he hated. Charles de Gaulle recalled it: “As a last resort, the decision is moral”. By dropping the workers of Florange, the two men revealed who they were: two politicians without convictions and unscrupulous. After this betrayal, it was all over: not only was Florange on the revenge on the speech of the Le Bourget of all those who had never digested it, but it was the beginning of the end of the five -year -old in Holland.
Since the covid, the speech of power seems to have changed on these questions: reindustrialisation is displayed as a priority objective. What do you think?
I recalled it right now: no industrial policy, in any sector, has been implemented. Only tirades of circumstance, proclaiming “the attractiveness” found of France. And social plans continue to multiply … In 2024, for the first time in ten years, the number of factory closings was greater than that of the openings. It is not announcements of announcements, nor much of “Choose France” that our industry needs, but of an ambition, a strategy – a form of modern planning – and targeted investments. Only the BPI works usefully, thanks to the mobilization of its managing director, Nicolas Dufourcq.
And on a European scale?
Without a form of European protectionism, Chinese products and Indian steel will continue to surge on our continent. Without waiting for the initiatives of a commission which takes itself for the government that it is not and which, too long, has been obsessed, by naivety and ideology, by “competition” to the detriment of industry, interested European states should join their forces around a few projects in sectors of the future – AI, health, ecology -, on the model of what was made in 1966 and which remains the greatest European industrial success, to intergovernmental cooperation and not supranationalism: Airbus, which has become the first world aircraft manufacturer.
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The Deepening Crisis in French Industry: A Call for Action
Table of Contents
The recent proclamation by ArcelorMittal of further job cuts in France underscores a critical issue: the ongoing decline of French industry. As Aquilino Morelle poignantly illustrates, the situation transcends mere economic downturn; it reflects a deeper crisis of political will and strategic foresight. The promised revival of French manufacturing remains elusive,and the consequences are dire.
The Stark Reality: industrial Decline in Numbers
To better understand the magnitude of the challenge, let’s examine some key data points:
| Indicator | France’s Position | Germany’s Position | Italy’s Position | EU Average |
| :——————————————- | :—————-: | :—————-: | :—————-: | :———-: |
| Industry’s Share of GDP (circa 2023) | 10% | 21% | 20% | ~15% |
| Factory Closures vs. Openings (2024) | More Closures | See Below | See Below | More Closures |
| Annual Growth Rate in Manufacturing Output | Negative | Positive | Positive | Stagnant |
| Investment in Industrial R&D | Lagging | Leading | Moderate | Moderate |
Source: Eurostat, National Statistics Offices, and Industry Reports. Note: Exact 2024 data on factory closures/openings are subject to varying reporting methodologies; however, trends clearly indicate a deterioration in France. This data emphasizes the urgent need for policies to promote industry.
Note: Data from national institutions provide the most updated trends.
beyond Rhetoric: The Need for a Concrete Industrial Strategy
Morelle’s criticism of the “offer” policy and the government’s approach is spot-on. Tax cuts alone cannot compensate for a lack of a thorough industrial strategy. The reliance on “attractiveness” rhetoric without concrete investment and strategic planning is simply inadequate. The recent dominance of factory closures over openings, a frist in a decade, underscores the urgency of effective action.
The path forward requires a multi-pronged strategy, including:
Targeted Investments: Prioritizing investment in strategic sectors like AI, healthcare, and green technologies, mirroring the success of Airbus.
Modern Planning: Implementing a modern form of economic planning, guided by strategic thinking rather than purely market-driven forces.
European Cooperation: Fostering greater collaboration among European nations on industrial projects.
Protectionism: Implementing measures to shield European industries from unfair competition, especially from China and India.
The Ghost of florange and the Lessons Unlearned
The closure of the Hautes-Fourneaux de Florange remains a painful reminder of broken promises and political expediency. The decisions surrounding the closure, as recounted by Morelle, highlight the consequences of prioritizing short-term political gains over the long-term health of French industry and the livelihoods of its workers. The events surrounding Florange serve as a critical lesson, reinforcing the importance of consistent political conviction and a steadfast commitment to supporting the industrial base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is French industry struggling?
A: The decline of French industry is a complex issue rooted in many factors, but a lack of a robust industrial strategy is a major contributing factor, including insufficient investment, reliance on tax breaks, and a failure to address unfair trade practices. The shift from manufacturing to services also plays a major role.
Q: What specific policies are needed to revive French industry?
A: A accomplished revival requires a multi-faceted plan. This includes: targeted investments in strategic sectors like AI, healthcare, and green technologies, coupled with policies to promote European cooperation.
Q: Is reindustrialization a priority for the French government?
A: While rhetoric around reindustrialization has increased, the actions seem inconsistent with the stated goals. Recent data showing more factory closures than openings suggests that more strategic and aggressive measures are urgently needed.
Q: What role does the European Union play?
A: The EU can provide a platform for cooperative industrial projects, but also needs to take actions against unfair trading practices. The EU has a significant role to do to ensure that european industries have the right to compete on an equal footing.
