They are called Rosa Luxemburg, or Heinrich Böll. These German political foundations do not make the headlines. Yet they knowingly weaken the French nuclear industry, denounces a recent report from the School of Economic Warfare. Their weapons? The drafting of documents with an anti-nuclear narrative, the orientation of the elites through training – doctoral scholarships, masterclasses… -, visits and meetings with foreign political leaders, the alliance with certain NGOs or environmental parties…
This work of influence benefits from significant financial means. According to the report, the general endowment devoted to all political foundations by the Bundestag continues to increase: 295 million euros in 2000, more than 466 million in 2014, and 690 million for the year 2023! For its author Christian Harbulot, the message is clear: behind the facade of speech advocating cooperation between member countries of the European Union, Germany is doing everything in its power not to allow French industry to enjoy cheap energy and thus benefit from a significant competitive advantage.
Words that echo those of the former boss of EDF Henri Proglio. “The obsession of the Germans for thirty years has been the disintegration of EDF. They have succeeded,” he declared last December during his hearing conducted as part of the parliamentary inquiry into the loss of independence. energy of France. In a recent dossier, L’Express also recounted the efforts made by our neighbor at European level to exclude nuclear power from any financial support mechanism. But with foundations like Heinrich Böll, who benefits from an address in Paris, the work of undermining is also carried out on French soil underlines the School of Economic Warfare.
On the strength of this observation, the report recommends the creation of an interministerial mission of vigilance and the fight against the excesses of foreign political foundations. Built on the model of Miviludes, the purpose of which is to fight against sectarian aberrations, this organization would make it possible to raise public awareness and limit the impact of actions taken against France. “The publication of this report encourages us above all to be less naive”, underlines an energy expert. In terms of nuclear power, France has been hardening its tone for several months. It’s a good start.