Paris, France. This morning, outside the Bolloré Group’s Annual General Meeting, leading climate and social justice organisations gathered to denounce what they describe as the “empire of impunity” surrounding billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Hosted by 350.org, Attac France, Action Justice Climat, Grain, the collective Levons les voiles, and Les Soulèvements de la Terre, the press conference exposed the deep entanglement between extreme wealth, climate destruction, and the rise of far-right influence in France. Photos available here (credit Soraya Fettih/350.org).
Standing in the shadow of corporate power, campaigners drew a clear line between the unchecked privileges of billionaires and the crumbling foundations of democracy, public services, and the planet. They demanded that extreme wealth—like that hoarded by Bolloré—be taxed to rein in the corrosive influence of billionaires who are actively undermining democracy and climate action to protect their power and profits.
Fanny Petitbon, France Team Lead at 350.org said:
“Wealth taxes on the super-rich are essential to a fair and democratic society. The far-right and their billionaire backers want people to believe that ordinary people must bear the costs of tackling the climate crisis. This is a lie. ‘Who pays’ is a political choice—and the super rich, who have profited most from pollution and tax breaks , must pay. Without this, democracy itself is at risk of being hijacked by a tiny elite determined to protect their profits at all costs.
It’s time for French decision-makers to show whose side it’s on. Will they continue shielding billionaires like Bolloré who build complex holding schemes to avoid paying taxes, or will they act in the public interest by passing the Zucman tax in June’s Senate vote? This is a litmus test for justice—and for democracy.”
Speakers highlighted a litany of abuses tied to the Bolloré empire: influence peddling, financial crimes, extractivist ventures abroad, violent exploitation of workers on palm oil plantations, and Bolloré’s role in supporting far-right networks in France. Most disturbingly, they called out the billionaire’s ties to neo-fascist actors—such as employing known extremists to guard his private island in the Glénan archipelago—underscoring the direct link between economic empire and political authoritarianism.
Upcoming: Marine Mobilisation and the Zucman Tax Vote
The press conference also served as a rallying call for the upcoming anti-fascist maritime mobilisation on 24 May, organised by Levons les voiles and Les Soulèvements de la Terre. This unprecedented action will see a flotilla of boats converge on Loc’h Island, now owned by Bolloré, to expose the billionaire’s support for some of the most dangerous elements of the far right. The mobilisation aims to raise the sails—both literally and figuratively—against the corporate takeover of democracy and nature.
Crucially, the event amplified demands for the French Senate to pass the proposed Zucman tax—a 2% annual levy on fortunes exceeding €100 million—which could generate between €15 and €25 billion per year. That money is urgently needed for investments in climate resilience, renewable energy, public transport, education, and housing.
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Media Contacts:
- Fanny Petitbon – 350.org – +33 6 19 12 21 46
- Jerémie – Action Justice Climat – +33 6 73 70 19 39
- Levons les voiles / Les Soulèvements de la Terre (via Signal) – +33 6 29 98 45 22
Photos from today’s press conference available here (credit Soraya Fettih/350.org).
More info on the maritime mobilisation:
https://desarmerbollore.net/news/acte-2-levons-les-voiles-contre-lempire-bollor