French employers' chief urges focus on economy in presidential race, reveals cancer battle

The president of the French employers' organization Les Entrepreneurs, Amir Reza-Tofighi, has called for economic issues to be a central theme in the upcoming presidential debates. In an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, Tofighi expressed concern that many candidates are not adequately addressing the economy.

To counter this, Les Entrepreneurs will launch a "tour of France" starting in October. This initiative aims to develop concrete proposals focused on stimulating economic growth, which Tofighi believes is essential for increasing employee wages, reducing state debt, and funding future investments. He argued that current taxation and social charges on businesses and employees hinder their ability to pay workers more and stifle growth.

Tofighi also highlighted the precarious state of public finances, warning of a potential major economic crisis if interest rates and national debt continue to rise. He criticized the tendency of candidates to make unrealistic financial promises, suggesting it creates a false impression that "magic money" exists. For the 2027 budget, he stressed the need for stability for businesses and insisted on no increase in employee or employer contributions.

In a personal disclosure, the 41-year-old Tofighi revealed he has been battling cancer for several months. He explained his decision to speak openly about his illness was to ensure transparency, acknowledging that his treatments might require adjustments to his schedule. Despite his health challenges, Tofighi affirmed his commitment to his role, stating that illness does not equate to weakness or an inability to lead.