In this new school year marked by the dramatic consequences of global warming on the one hand and the beginnings of the presidential campaign on the other, what is the state of mind of business leaders?
“According to the barometer
that we carry out each month, among a representative sample of the approximately 3.8 million companies members of our network, the morale of business leaders remains stable. Last June (last barometer, Editor’s note), it was at 62 points (out of 100), or seven points better than the previous month, even if the events of this summer (fires, drought, etc.) have undoubtedly reversed the trend. Leaders therefore generally maintain morale. But the most important index for us is that of confidence: 63% of managers have confidence in the company – which is very important currently given the record number of business failures, the low level of growth, the unemployment rate which is on the rise again… But only 12% of them have confidence in the French economy. A real duality that we have been seeing among entrepreneurs for several years now. »
Medef is holding its Meeting of Entrepreneurs of France 2026 (REF) on Wednesday and Thursday. Seven presidential candidates will participate in a debate around the expectations of business leaders. A highly anticipated meeting?
“Certainly, because today more stability and visibility are the main expectations of leaders. On an economic level of course, but also politically. What the candidates will say on Thursday therefore risks being scrutinized by the economic world. On the merits of course and on the timing too, because we will have to move quickly, very quickly! »
“Solutions are imposed on us which are not always adapted to reality”
Stability, visibility… it does not entirely depend on policies. Is it also a question of the situation?
“No doubt. The problem is that we are certainly experiencing an economic crisis, but also a crisis of “disconnection”. Entrepreneurs – and not only that – have the feeling that politicians are increasingly disconnected from their daily concerns. Why are there three times more regulations to go from nine to 10 employees than from 19 to 20 employees in a company? Why stop the thermal engine when in France, we neither manufacture electric motors nor embedded software and we have even less control over rare earths. People don’t understand anymore. »
The fires and heatwaves of this summer still show that it is crucial to find a solution to fight global warming?
” Obviously ! The objective of zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 is crucial. But we would have preferred a thousand times that we were left free of the means to achieve this: biofuel, hydrogen, energy sobriety… it doesn’t matter. The problem is that solutions are imposed on us which are not always adapted to reality and what’s more, the objectives change (initially definitive in 2035, the end of sales of thermal cars will be gradual within the countries of the European Union, Editor’s note). In the end, what we are asking the public authorities is to be strict on the results and the timetable, but to leave the choice of technologies to our companies. »
Barometer carried out by the CCI network teams among a sample of 1,014 business managers with at least one employee from June 8 to 16, 2026.
