A new round of privatization battles is coming to France

A new round of privatization battles is coming to France. The Macron government is planning to sell stakes in airport operator ADP along with energy utility Engie and state gaming monopoly Française des Jeux. “The plans to privatize ADP, previously known as Aéroports de Paris, have also proven contentious since the government had to decide whether it wished to maintain control of the land, which is held by ADP through a perpetual license. (…) Vinci, the French construction and infrastructure operator, holds 8 per cent of ADP and is seen as a likely bidder for any stake that the state sells.” But “opposition groups are already up in arms. Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right National Rally party, said it is ‘insane’ to try to privatize ADP, while far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon vowed to nationalize all major state companies if ever his movement comes to power.”