Medef Pledges Support for Politicians with Strong Economic Understanding Ahead of 2027 Election

Patrick Martin, president of Medef, France's largest employers' federation, has emphasized his organization's commitment to backing political leaders who demonstrate a solid grasp of economic realities and long-term planning. Speaking during a recent presentation and his New Year's address, Martin stressed the importance of supporting “those, too rare to date, who translate this understanding into their decisions” and whose vision extends beyond the 2027 presidential election.

Martin criticized current political decisions, particularly fiscal measures, that place undue burdens on businesses, warning against a divisive dynamic that pits household interests against those of companies. He also voiced frustration over what he described as a disconnection between policymakers and the business community, labeling some as demagogues. This disconnect extends to education and youth employment issues: Martin highlighted that 1.4 million young people are neither employed nor in education or training, expressing concern over budgetary policies that have led to a decline in apprenticeship contracts.

Further condemning a perceived elite obliviousness to the challenges faced by 650,000 vocational high school students, Medef’s leader rejected the prevalent discourse framing work as a source of suffering, suggesting instead that problems in the public sector deserve priority attention. He underscored Medef’s commitment to collective action within the employer community, contrasting it with what he called the opportunistic attitudes of other employer organizations.

Looking ahead, Martin pointed to Medef’s upcoming annual REF event in August as a key platform for genuine, constructive dialogue about France’s future path, signaling the federation's intention to actively engage in shaping policies that advance economic competitiveness and address social challenges.

In sum, Medef’s firm stance is clear: ahead of the 2027 presidential race, it will support political decision-makers with a deep economic understanding who prioritize sound, long-term strategies benefiting businesses and the wider French economy.