France’s Macron defends his dealings with Uber : NPR

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We have been talking this 7 days about leaked documents that clearly show the lengths to which Uber went to acquire on the taxi field in country just after region. In France, the Uber files have provoked new concerns about the role of President Emmanuel Macron. Here is Rebecca Rosman.

REBECCA ROSMAN, BYLINE: Uber’s courting of Macron begun in 2014, according to text messages and email messages leaked by a former Uber govt. The corporation was desperately searching for an ally who could support them develop their functions in France. Emmanuel Macron was then doing work as the financial system minister less than Socialist President Francois Hollande. Amidst the trove of much more than 124,000 files acknowledged as the Uber documents, there was proof of solution conferences with lobbyists, reassurances of aid and ideas that Macron offered to aid Uber expand the business at the price, his critics say, of France’s accredited taxi motorists.

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PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON: (Speaking French).

ROSMAN: On Tuesday, Macron brushed off the allegations, telling reporters he was, quote, “happy” of supporting Uber simply because they designed work opportunities for French staff, incorporating he would “do it again tomorrow and the working day after tomorrow.” French authorities immediately backed the president, expressing his steps ended up section of his regular duties as minister. But opposition politicians on the political left and significantly ideal are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the specifics of Macron’s romance with Uber.

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FRANCOIS RUFFIN: (Speaking French).

ROSMAN: Talking to France Inter radio on Tuesday, far-remaining MP Francois Ruffin for an investigation into Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign donors, implying some kind of ongoing quid professional quo. Macron, in the meantime, has praised Uber for offering careers to 1000’s of young people from the troubled functioning-class suburbs. That explanation is not more than enough to you should France’s accredited cab motorists, who, in contrast to Uber motorists, have to undergo all-around 300 hours of training and spend up to 250,000 euros for an formal taxi license. So considerably, their protests against what they connect with the Uberization (ph) of France haven’t worked. But opposition forces in parliament say, this time, they are likely to make sure the president listens.

For NPR News, I am Rebecca Rosman.

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