Announced in recent days as potential candidate for the succession of Jean-Pierre Farandou, former Prime Minister Jean Castex reacted before the RATP board of directors. Sweeping all rumors. © Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images – Jean Castex says no to the SNCF… for now? Save save Receive the alerts Jean Castex passionate about the rail sector, Jean Castex is today at the head of the RATP. What to make him an all-designated successor to Jean-Pierre Farandou, the current CEO of the SNCF who will have reached the age limit (68 years) this summer? In recent days, many rumors have reported an interest in the former Prime Minister for the post of boss of the Régie rail. But according to Le Parisien, Jean Castex denied all the rumors on the occasion of the RATP board of directors on April 11. “I never wrote to the Élysée or another authority and I do not have a candidate for the succession of Jean-Pierre Farandou,” said the former minister, who did not fail to point out that he had just been re-elected to the head of the RATP for five years in October 2024 Do not a candidate, who could therefore claim the position? Among the names often cited are also those of Marie-Ange Debon, president of Keolis (SNCF subsidiary) and Xavier Piechaczyk, the current president of RTE. Read also: May bridges: will the trains drive despite the SNCF strike? Some unions plead for Jean Castexce last, it seems, Emmanuel Macron’s first choice for a long time, saw his candidacy questioned since the dissolution of the National Assembly. Among the most fervent opponents, there would be the CGT, the first union organization of the SNCF, which prefers to emphasize that “no internal candidacy stands out”. That of Xavier Piechaczyk would even arouse “antibodies”. But is Jean Castex’s “no” final? Can the Elysée Palace still call on him? According to our colleagues, the secretary general of the CGT, Sophie Binet, would even plead for the candidacy of the former Prime Minister who had maintained good relations with the unions during his visit to Matignon. This proximity to the unions, Jean Castex seems to cultivate it at the RATP where FO had notably called for its renewal. To read also: why the SNCF will regret Jean-Pierre Farandou in an interview with La Tribune, the Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, declared that he is favorable to “someone who knows how to dialogue with his employees, who has the culture of the financial result, (…) who has knowledge of the house, the rail and the territory”. The succession of Jean-Pierre Farandou at the SNCF should soon be ratified. Receive our latest news each morning, the information to be remembered on the financial markets. (tagstotranslate) Jean Castex (T) SNCF (T) RATP (T) Transport
