The multi-millionaire Czech Daniel Kretinsky is negotiating its entry into the capital of the press group Le Monde, through the participation of one of its shareholders of reference, Matthieu Pigasse, an operation that has aroused concern among its staff.
The Pole of independence of Le Monde -which brings together the societies of editors, staff, readers and shareholders and historical controls 25% of the shares – stressed in a statement issued today the “brutality” of the announcement of that transaction and asked to meet with the parties involved.
In particular, you want to meet “soon” with the majority shareholders, in reference to the ones that constitute the entity Le Monde Free (Matthieu Pigasse, Xavier Niel, Madison Cox, and the Spanish group Prisa), which controls 75% of the capital and also with Kretinsky, or its representative in France.
Of this last, want to clarify what “his intentions” and also obtain “the essential guarantees of the respect of the values and the rules of independence” of the various headers of the group.
Pigasse has confirmed that it is negotiating with billionaire Czech-which is already owner in France of the weekly information Marianne or magazines such as Elle, Télé 7 Jours or France Dimanche – to cede a part of your participation and that you intend to continue being one of the managers through Le Monde Free.
Kretinsky, for its part, has said by the mouth of the spokesman of his industrial conglomerate, Daniel Castvaj, which is not intended to “buy” the group of Le Monde, although neither has been ruled out of the all.
“we Want to create a large group of media and we will examine all of the opportunities that present themselves,” he added.
According to the editors of Le Monde, the businessman intends to acquire between 40% and 49 % of the shares of Pigasse, who along with Niel and Cox control the 80% of Le Monde Libre (the remaining 20% is in a Hurry).
The magnate Czech has made a name in the world of business through the energy company EPH and is also the head of the first group of media in his country, the Czech Media Invest (CMI).