During a parliamentary session, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier expressed concern over recent job cuts at Auchan and Michelin, which will see nearly 3,700 positions eliminated. He questioned how these companies utilized public funds provided by the state, emphasizing a need for accountability. Barnier, who disagreed with Michelin’s leadership, urged collaboration between these companies and local authorities to support affected employees and encourage industrial job creation. He also highlighted the importance of a European response to foreign competition while advocating for an ‘industrial savings book’ to bolster local investments.