By Forrest Crellin PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) - Engie Chief Executive Catherine MacGregor on Tuesday said she attended a dinner held in March with Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far right National
Engie CEO says far-right National Rally's energy plans are 'bad for France'
Engie CEO Catherine MacGregor Criticizes National Rally's Energy Proposals
By Forrest Crellin
Engagement with National Rally and Political Influence
PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) - Engie Chief Executive Catherine MacGregor warned on Tuesday against energy policy measures being touted by France's far-right National Rally, as she defended her presence at a dinner with party leader Marine Le Pen earlier this month.
For years, French blue-chip companies studiously avoided engaging with the RN but, with polls indicating it could win the 2027 presidential election, they are now trying to influence the anti-immigration, eurosceptic party's economic agenda.
Details of the April 7 Dinner
Reuters previously reported on the April 7 dinner, which also included the chief executives or chairs of oil major TotalEnergies TTEF.PA, car maker Renault RENA.PA, and luxury conglomerate LVMH
MacGregor's Perspective on the Dinner
"Yes I was at the dinner. Yes I knew Marine Le Pen would be present ... Engie has a responsibility to educate our political decision-makers on issues that are very complicated, and to explain the consequences of this or that measure, though so far with little success," MacGregor said at a press breakfast.
Critique of National Rally's Energy Policies
The Engie CEO cited RN positions from a desire to pull out of the European electricity market and change the way prices are formed, to no longer having an energy regulator independent of the government, and halting the development of renewables.
"We cannot let these ideas, which are bad for France, for France's energy security, for electricity prices and for decarbonization, crystallize and take form," she added.
MacGregor's Stance on Political Engagement
Had she been heading a company not in the energy sector, MacGregor said, she might not have been willing to attend the dinner with the far-right leader.
Engie's Strategic Pivot and International Investments
Engie has recently pivoted to investing in Britain, where MacGregor says the government is politically stable, committed to decarbonisation, and has an independent regulator.
(Reporting by Forrest Crellin and America Hernandez in Paris, Editing by Ingrid Melanger and Clarence Fernandez)
