France’s industry minister

Enfant terrible

Will Arnaud Montebourg stay in the French government?

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Dominique II

Latest news: Le Canard Enchaîné just published excerpts of technical notes from France's Ministry of Budget, hardly a hotbed of Bolshies. The eggheads in substance say the option of temporarily nationalizing Arcelor makes good economic and financial sense, and both the costs and regulatory hurdles have been vastly inflated.

The fat lady is far from having sung her last.

Rivierarocket in reply to Dominique II

Not a surprising comment coming from a state nipple sucker unable to comprehend that the human being is at their best when there is minimal state interference in daily living and economic life. But I guess if one is educated in a socialist paradise all of their lives, there should be no reason why they think differently than looking for mama's breasts all of their lives.

Dominique II in reply to Rivierarocket

"a state nipple sucker"

Self-employed consultant all my life, never worked for the French Govt, still alive thanks to the health system I always paid full dues to, and what are you doing in France btw since it is state teat country?

btw I don't see where my post advocated suckling from the state teat. Arcelor's nationalisation would make sense only if profitable, which serious analysts say it well could be.

It makes sense for a born and raised slave to corporate parasites (the minority, among entrepreneurs, who give a bad name to the rest and actually hold them hostage and as human shields) to resent any defensive measures against their looting and pilfering. Since you're in the country of the Enlightenment and it is now celebrating a precursor, La Boétie, why don't you read his essay on "voluntary servitude".

Rivierarocket in reply to Dominique II

"It makes sense for a born and raised slave to corporate parasites"

Yes, that's how you and your cronies call salaried employees. Corporate parasite is what you call job creators especially if theya re not pure bloods. What could we call Louis Schweitzer? Oh wait that was Renault! Your response is not surprising for someone that has never come to grips with the fact that some people are richer than others, some people work harder than others and some people are smarter than others and if there are state nipples to suck, many will take advantage of it. But most of all a group of people who are extremely jealous of others success. Keep your opinions to yourself. I've been here long enough to not be influenced by your argumentation. It's an excuse for your own insecurities and inaction.

As they say. Il ne faut pas effrayer les français. Especially with the truth.

Of course you are for nationalization because you support the "mamelles" of the state to intervene in the private sector "quand bon leur semble". I understand that. It's your education. You can't see any differently. And don't even think about using GM or Chrysler as an example. These companies were bankrupt and it was not 567 or whatever jobs at stake but hundreds of thousands. It was simply an ego trip by a trippy leftist minister trying to flex his political muscles.

And that French healthcare system. Best in the world eh? It's no better or no worse than anywhere else in Europe and many countries in the world in spite of the talking heads who have never paid for it such as Michael Moore. Oh yeh! If your on the dole, it great. I know a barroom drunk who has been two times to rehab payed by the state. Once for one month, the second time for 4 months.

I pay the same amount for my healthcare in France than I would pay in the US and more than I would pay in other European countries so your system is subsidized not only by the state but by those who make a decent living. Even "Allocations Familles" is not capped. if you make a zillion euros a year you still receive child support from the state.

Now as you like to say in france. Bonnes fêtes....mais surtout la santé. Ah oui...surtout la santé


According to the public opinion and especially to the leading class of France there is no need to worry at all.
Each Frenchman and much more their leading class is absolutely convinced that France since ever has been and for ever will be on the very best way, quite superior and successful as they ever been in their long history.
Saying that France over centuries and for the next hundred centuries will be the unique and leading super-power in Western hemisphere , I got confirmed by each Frenchmen and much more by each of their superior leading class.
France is just great and the rest of Europe can only be nothing but stupid and inferior crap in regard of La Grande Nation.
The British should fall on their knees as well as the Germans already have been doing over centuries and still daily do it.
If you only speak English or even worse only German and not French you only can be a dirty and inferior uneducated méteque as the French are calling and treating each foreigner.

I do not worry about France. France will be more powerful as they have ben at the glorious times of Napoleon and actually we see how powerful France has been as the 1st super-power of Europe over more than a whole century:)
France will get with its Arab immigrants bigger and more powerful as ever before.
In their sophisticated banlieues they have their real resources which will bring France to the first place of all European nations.
Germany never will be able to compete with such a superior super-power like France because the Germans are unable to speak the only real sophisticated language on this planet which is nothing but French.
The rest of all other languages is nothing but a dialect of stupid tribes and retarded huns.
Being born in Kaliningrad I fortunately speak Russian as my mother tongue apart from my German.
So I am sure Hollande and his leading class are bringing France forward to the 1st place in the Western world and even the USA will only be able to envy French competence and superiority.
The Brits as inferiors just speaking English are completely out of this game.
The new time of Napoleon is coming again:)
Europe will be nothing but French:)

I'm so disappointed of what you've said.

Ok : I'm French

I'm a young 21 french man. And I like german people, as england people and other nations in europe. French people that you denigrate here are more than 60, and are the same as what we can find in england or in italy : there is always people to be proud of their nation and other people (as you) to exagerate). England, France and Italy have the same defect : they never need to question itself (as contrary to germany since of the wall, of the WWII etc..)

Yes, we love our language, and it's normal, this speaking permits us to improve our philosophical acceptation. I think it's the reason why our litterature is so known in the world.

Yes, our "Grande gastronomie" is the best in the occidental countries : Hamberger vs Foie gras ?

But no, I don't think we are the best in chemistry, in electronic, in informatic, in politic, in economy, in army (we fail in almost all war since the 19th ... We are just diversified in all aspect of activity and that's why we don't fell during the economic crash.

Don't generalize, don't spit on all french people. Because, even if the actuel government is socialist, it's admit than the majority of french are liberalist, and are fed up of assistance and taxes.
Sincerely, i hate my government.

I like european people, and as my fellow, I don't want to abandoned by my european brothers. Because, the ancient enemy in europe could certainly be the best friends of the modern history.

In general I deeply agree with your opinion and expressively I share your point of view.
I would rather hope if all people in Europe would share your opinion but you have to admit that your point of view which is in general mine also, a wide majority of the European nations prefer falling back into their old national contrasts, including all kind of ancient mutual prejudices and bias including an extremely growing kind of hatred and hostility.
In regard to the ancient enemies, I would rather say as each native English speaking will say: One enemy - for ever enemy.
This is one of the most important basics of all Anglo philosophy which has been based since ever on humiliation of other nations and nationalities and the whole way of thinking in the English speaking world is based by itself on superiority to "lower" and retarded nations.
We see, hear and read a lot in the public of all European nations and it is striking how quickly and how hostile ancient contrasts are turning up again.
Interesting how much the hatred and hostility against Germany in Great Britain, France , Italy and Greece has been increasing within the last few months if I take notice of the newest polls about the reputation of Germany in various European countries.

So dear Marie-Claire there are not needed any Russian agents disbanding the EU because the European nations have been doing this job until now just perfectly and as I can see all European governments are doing their very best bullying out Germany out of the EU and making them for scapegoats.
I just need to read the French, British, Italian and American press.
The opinion of each Greek about the Germans is very well know and therefore Germans stay off from Greece knowing that they are not welcome there.
May be in Spain and Portugal they will have the same result.
And in France since ever you will meet very few Germans by tradition.
The language barrier is quite useful in this case.
So I do not believe that this Europe in its actual state of mutual hatred and hostility will have any chance in the future.


After the opinion of the whole of France Montebourg is just excellent.
He is completely in the line of philosophy of each Frenchman and therefore one of the most popular politicians.
So just let him transfer his great ideas and the rest of the world should respect this great vision he is sharing wit Hollande and the whole rest of France.
I think foreigners are not allowed to comment interior affairs of French politics:)
I deeply admire him because he is doing together wit Hollande the very best for France.

We are allowed to comment and I will comment on Montebourg and France in general. The current French government as well as previous governments are doing what they know how to do best. Alienate investors et al. While the Northern European countries having learnt from their generous social welfare system are creating wealth France is creating poverty and the citizens response is more of the same. It likes getting slapped in the face and then extending the other cheek. Another wealthy Frenchman officially left France today. Gerard Depardieu and whatever you think of him there are limits to confiscation of wealth in the name of the state and that is what France is doing. Using a false argument of economic patriotism to alienate the wealthy who create jobs. The "pensée unique" in France sells well for the downtrodden masses who look to the state to give meaning to their lives. There is no way to change the thinking in France. Politicians are more concerned with getting reelected than pushing through needed reforms.

Marie C. in reply to Rivierarocket

rockette, you don't know of what you're talking

the investors are fighting themselves to invest on France, who has more potential to develop than your worn out northern club, that only can be proud on how much fiat money they are sitting, but happens a financial crash, they only will have their eyes for crying.

You can have all the DePardieu you want to invit at your home, good luck with that !

Dominique II in reply to Rivierarocket

How is Mittal an investor?

He borrowed heavily to launch hostile takeovers against his European competition and, now and predictably cash-strapped, he makes sure nobody else can buy/operate it. It's all about killing competition. Grabbing sunsidies from imbecile "business-friendly" (read, sleazy) rightist politicians in the process.

Not even a predator; a parasite.

Dominique II in reply to Torey Flood

You are insulting investors by calling Mittal, a parasite, an investor.

He borrowed heavily to launch hostile takeovers against his competition, his obvious objective to neutralize it, not to invest in its assets or develop them. Grabbing subsidies from clueless / corrupt rightist politicians in the process.

Real investors have nothing to fear in France. And neither, alas, has Mittal as the French Government has piteously surrendered.

Rivierarocket in reply to Dominique II

Why is that a Frenchman can use the word "surrender" referring to Franceor it's government but dare a foreigner use this word he/she incurs the wrath of the French histrionic blogging population. Are we allowed to use the word "coward" within any proximity to the word France? Or is that reserved only for the "pure bloods"

PS - Anyone who creates 20K jobs in France and is referred to as a predator and parasite by you and your merry band of denialists should really think about pulling out his investment in this country. But then you French would be crying victim about that too.

Dominique II in reply to Rivierarocket

Oh, an advocate of French bashers' rights. Some cheese with your whine?

Calling France and the French in general surrendering cowards, as your ilk is wont to, is not the same thing as designating a specific act of surrender, which we never shy from and completely accept when justified. Winning some and losing some is how a warrior nation survived to this day. Only clueless jingoists will claim an unblemished military record - in any country.

You're welcome to document Mr Mittal's job creation record. He took over (by hostile take over and with funds not his own,) a business with existing jobs and, contrary to commitments, proceeded to dismantle it. European steel industry certainly needed a thorough shake-up; it got a scavenger instead. May he invest in your backyard. But I doubt he'd be allowed to.

Rivierarocket in reply to Dominique II


So I understand you are saying you never shy from a specific act of surrender? I am in complete agreement with you on that opinion.

Of course you twist my words to fit your own victimization agenda. I never call the French surrendering cowards. In relation to WW2 surrender I have never made that comparison in my life. However in the case of how the French face life.. yes they are cowards. Afraid of globalization, afraid of the police, afraid of the foreigner, afraid of getting their picture taken, afraid of the administration, afraid of getting a certified letter by mail, afraid of ending up in the streets et j'en passe. I'm a coward in certain situations, we all are cowards in our own way at times So get off your high horse with the WW2 surrender "schtick"

PS. I might add what you qualify as justification "fort heureusement" is not my definition of justification. it's no secret that the French have low tolerance threshold before histrionics breaks out.

Dominique II in reply to Rivierarocket

Very funny. But you know better. My fault for forgetting that trolls are not interested in honest exchanges, only in scoring points in their imaginary mud throwing games, and therefore for leaving my sentence open to malicious reading.

Germanambassador in reply to Marie C.

Well I agree with you.
And as you see the whole world is admiring France as the 1st economic and military power on this planet.
Of course we all know that investors are lining up and patiently waiting only for being allowed to invest their good money in France.
Therefore France has no job problem at all and each young Frenchman gets the best and highest paid jobs in Europe.
Perhaps the Portuguese and Spaniard will com enow to France for getting one of those fine paid jobs which are vacant.

Only the rating agencies without exception see things slightly different.
But that does not matter:)
It s enough if the French believe it.

Sinnvoll in reply to Rivierarocket

"Why is that a Frenchman can use the word "surrender"..."

Because the Freedom Fries love to "surrender". In the past, in the present and in the future. They know it and feel deeply ashamed of themselves if a foreigner dares to remind them.

"But then you French would be crying victim about that too."

France, the eternal victim. Grand only by name.

Dominique II in reply to zombje

Only clueless trolls ever call France "la grande nation" or something like that, thus reflecting their own well deserved frustration and jealousy at belonging to failed civilizations.


Montebourg is just a bloviator. And the massive support to his thesis derives more generally from the doublethinking practice by Holland during his electoral campaign. An Orwellian Power win in France:1984 is here in 2012. We can speak in this instance of cognitive dissonance.

david Wineberg

Two points:
1) This is politics. The government was simply playing good cop bad cop. It was never going to actually nationalise anything, because of the expense, because of the European bureaucratic rules, and because of total lack of expertise in nationalising - or steel making. So the government didn't cave in or back off; it took a compromise that saved 629 jobs. Which is all it really wanted in the first place.
2) Arnaud Montebourg shoots from the lip. Always has. That is why his candidacy for leader failed. His credibility is far lower than his popularity. He can stay or he can go; it will make no difference. But for him to leave a national platform would be pointless suicide. It's in his self interest to stay. If he goes, it just confirms his weakness.

Marie C. in reply to david Wineberg

no, in the PS primaries, he got 17% of the votes, if today they had to be replayed he would get the double

Montebourg is saying loudly what the people think

Besides of that his region is one with the lowest unemployment rating in France with Brittany

Marie C.

"But his credibility is wearing thin"

He though was supported by 63% of the French and by proheminent personalities from UMP

Dominique II in reply to Marie C.

Because there is widespread exasperation with Mittal's behavior, which started with an hostile takeover, went on to grab subsidies again promises which were never kept, and obviously never had any other plans, for European steelworks, but to close them as competition.

Painting post-Mittal shock syndrom as hostility to business is a liberal media oversimplification which, if overplayed, could well become true. If Mittal is the epitome of corporate ethics, we definitely don't want either.

The left should be unabashed in its hostility to the Mittals of the world, while still being business-friendly to real entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, as usual, the latter are being used as human shields by the corporate terrorist hostage-takers.

Dominique II in reply to eroteme

When Mittal took over Arcelor, it was careful to operate 'technology transfers' (read, filch the well recognized site's technological excellence) and ensconce the loot in the international patents system. Thus there would be huge hurdles to overcome. But the story of a lame duck European steel industry is just that, storytelling. There is a market and a capacity in the high-end products it specializes in; hence the urgency for its competitors to kill the sector with the active complicity of the parasitic politician underclass, the Blairs, Sarkozys, Lagardes who would (who do) sell their mothers for hard currency.



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