Protectionism is back in fashion. Evidence of this is the Alstom case, for which the French government raises the flag of economic patriotism and issues a decree that can block foreign designs on Alstom.
In fact, a decree on foreign investments was published in the Official Gazette which requires a State authorization for the foreign acquisitions of companies operating in strategic sectors such as energy, transport, telecommunications, water and healthcare .
A decree that makes state intervention on the Alstom dossier inevitable, an object of interest both by the Americans of General Electric and the Germans of Siemens.
"We are adopting a device that already exists elsewhere, such as in Germany, Italy, Spain and also in the United States" they explain from the prime minister's office.