The Irish whistleblower, on Thursday, March 23, revealed the Uber files before a parliamentary committee on freedom of action for lobbyists.Political leaders are easily accessibleA former lobbyist for Uber, he notably harkens back to Emmanuel Macron’s time as economy minister.
The Commission of Inquiry on the disclosure of Uber files came up for hearing on Thursday Whistleblower Mark McCann. This former lobbyist for the US company is behind the International Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revelations: he sent it to the British newspaper. Guardian Approximately 124,000 documents “Uber files“.
In fluent French, Uber’s former head of Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East explained how he tried from 2014 to 2016.Convince the authorities to change the laws“to encourage”Uber’s aggressive expansion across the globe“. According to him, a “More than 1,850 elected officials and civil servants in 29 countries were pressured“.
“V.SIt’s not illegal, but it can be unfair“
In front of the delegates, Mark McCann was a “Formal failure“In France, as in other countries, lobbying is, according to him, permitted”Incredibly easy access to top political leaders and disproportionate influence over governments“.
The whistleblower supported the implementation of a “The actual regulatory framework“In the face of a company like Uber, it”Knowingly gave respect to the laws of the Republic“Said an Irish whistleblower who returned to set up a US company in France in the early 2010s”Here and elsewhere, the government has tended to shirk its duty in the face of pressure from Uber and its influential friends.“.
“Through Google, Enarchy was able to gain direct access to the Ministers’ Hotel in Percy through friends, and was able to maintain this access.” said Mark Macken.”V.SIt’s not illegal, but it might be unfair because other start-ups like Heatch or BlaBlogger don’t have the same clout.“
Emmanuel Macron”modernization“
Mark McCann has repeatedly spoken about the relationship between Uber and Emmanuel Macron when he was economy minister from August 2014 to August 2016. Article published in the world In July 2022Emmanuel Macron would have concluded at the time that a “Agreement” With the American company: In exchange for stoppingUberPopA connection service between persons who have been convicted multiple times”Illegal“Economy Minister would have done”flashing [à Uber] A drastic simplification of the conditions required to obtain a VTC license“.
The whistleblower commented on the episode: “The Minister of Economy made it clear to me that if we stop this illegal service, he is going to provide us with the minimum training we ask for.“
During an earlier investigation, journalist of Le Monde Adrien Sénécat noted “17 significant exchanges“between”[Emmanuel Macron] Or his cabinet and uber members“. gold”A single meeting [avait] Publicly announced in the press“, the journalist further explained. On Thursday morning, Mark McCann returned to these revelations: “What good is democracy to hide meetings with business leaders?“
However, Mark McCann appeared to come to the defense of Emmanuel Macron, saying he “In his character“. The whistleblower even profiled the current president”modernization“formed in”Sometimes quite the opposite government“Rejecting the Word”Agreement“Used world, Former Uber lobbyist “To his knowledge“,”No corruption, no ugliness, no trickery“.”On the other hand, transparency is also lacking“, he clarified.
Commission of Inquiry chairman Benjamin Haddad (Renaissance) reopened the matter several times, confirming Mark McCann’s laws. Godwood (2014), Macron (2015) and Grandguillaume (2016) was also seen as a setback by Uber. Ultimately, according to the whistleblower, “A lot of money is spent on certain concrete decisions based on legislative texts, regulations“.
European directive against
Mark McCann also explained that “Uber”.Tramples the rights of French and European workers and continues to do so today“. The former lobbyist is adamant: “These are not jobs, these are not jobs! It’s about creating insecurity on an industrial scale.“
Millions of platform drivers and deliveries are now the turkeys of this travesty. Mark McCann
The whistleblower asked the French government to support him European directive on platform workersAdopted by the European Parliament and is a “job opportunity“. Mark McCann accuses France of “A vanguard of those who seek to empty the commandment of its meaning.”
“I am appalled at the piloting of the French government and other Member States (…) in favor of diluting the presumption of remuneration. This is the case of the renewal group (A committee in which MEPs from Emmanuel Macron’s party sitEditor’s note) in the European Parliament” said the former lobbyist. An assertion immediately challenged by Benjamin Haddad, according to “Renewed parliamentarians supported the order“.
