Matthieu Ourliac announces his candidacy for a second term as president of Medef Ouest Hérault

Matthieu Ourliac : “Les idées doivent venir d'en bas”. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

The Biterrois Matthieu Ourliac announced that he would be a candidate for his own succession to the presidency of Medef Béziers Littoral Ouest Hérault. The election will take place in September. And if he is re-elected for a 3-year term, he intends to fuel the debate on sovereignty. Interview.

You officially declare your candidacy for succession to the presidency of Medef. What motivates you, mobilizes you for this role??

I completed a first mandate driven by the value of work. We wrote a manifesto on this subject with Hubert Vialatte. And I closed it with an evening dedicated to mobility, which is the main obstacle to employment […] What I want now is to present my application to a second and final term, for an additional 3 years. And I wish to carry this second mandate on the theme of "sovereignty" through three axes.

It corresponds to my convictions, to carry messages. Ideas must come from below. We, intermediary bodies, must synthesize ideas from the field to bring them to the highest level. We are capable of thinking. The theme of sovereignty is a national, even European, subject but that is not why it should be left to Brussels.

What do you mean by  "sovereignty" because it’s a very broad theme, through what prism do you intend to approach it ?

If I am re-elected, I will organize an evening on the army with Colonel Soreau, representative of the army to businesses. Because we have a real concern for proximity with businesses. While our armies defend our interests internationally and therefore the interests of businesses. And we must not forget that the army also constitutes a market for companies in all sectors (food, cleaning, transport…). Furthermore, exchanges with the army have a lot to teach about what it is to be a business leader and to have leadership. It's also about breaking the rules: let's take an interest in our soldiers, what do they have to bring us in terms of management?

However, there are few companies linked to the army in Biterrois…< /p>

But that’s not why the territory isn’t concerned. And then there is the military clothing manufacturer Paul Boyer in Bédarieux. Instadrone who works with former military personnel…

You mentioned three axes…

The second is that of ecology, which is often approached in a normative way on the theme of the end of the world. I would like to integrate the dimension of sovereignty. We cannot continue to depend on the energy level of countries that do not only want us well. In renewable energies, there is sovereignty. In nuclear power, there is sovereignty. There is also the food industry with a real issue of water reserves and basins. Water has always fallen when it wants and where it wants. It is not global warming that is causing us to experience a drought. There have always been droughts. The genius of man is knowing how to capture this water where it falls, knowing how to capture it and bring it where needed. We must not refuse technological progress which should help us resolve ecological problems.

The election will take place on September 26

The Medef Littoral Béziers Ouest Hérault has between 400 and 420 members who will therefore be brought to the table. vote for their new president on September 26. Matthieu Ourliac is an official candidate and declared à his own estate for a term of 3 years. À To date, no other candidate has come forward.

The third axis of sovereignty that I will address during my mandate is that of the reindustrialization of France which is underway. And there is one area that I support and which I do not like: it is the reopening of mines in Europe. We cannot continue to want to make the energy transition and depend on countries that do not wish us well or that produce in conditions that would be unacceptable in Europe. For example, we have cobalt mines in Alsace that we would definitely not want to reopen. On the other hand, 90% of cobalt production is done in Congo by kids in unacceptable conditions…hellip; It takes political or civic courage to reopen our mines. We have mining basins in West Hérault, like Bédarieux. We have mining reserves, lithium in Allier, and even oil, in Gabian! I know that this is a very controversial subject but it is part of the role of a union to promote ideas like that. For me, there is a debate about the sovereignty of mineral resources in Europe. I am here to open the debate. This is a subject of the national Medef, I am not inventing anything.

We might expect comments aimed more at local entrepreneurs as part of your campaign…

I think it's good to have a common thread that's interesting. The defense of businesses is our daily life, it is our sovereign. All these subjects also concern the territory.

What will be your priorities, your primary ambition, for a next term as president of the employers' organization ?

The priority of Medef, which has a small budget, is to be able to maintain its 400 members. And to ensure its sovereign functions which are to defend companies through mandates. It’s also its independence. Because a Medef in Béziers means proximity to its members which is essential in an intermediary body. Afterwards my priority as a passing elected official will be to carry sovereignty. Finally, my last priority if I am re-elected will be to ensure my succession.

How are businesses in Biterrois ?

"The year 2024 is very complicated for everyone. It’s true à Lille, Montpellier, like here à Béziers, obviously. This is particularly marked. in the construction sector (real estate in the broad sense, developers, agents) perhaps a little less in public works. This is also true in all things consumer. On the other hand, in Biterrois, despite the economic situation, we are inclined to by strong hope. And it’s much easier to weather the storm when you see the sun at the end", replies Matthieu Ourliac, when asked about health’ oacute; local businesses. "Because Genvia carries very strong hope for businesses in Biterrois and the Biterrois ecosystem. And Genvia is all &agrav; made in connection with the idea of ​​sovereignty that I want to wear.

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