Arnaud Lagardère may be playing his game. In the bitter battle which opposes it to the activist fund Amber Capital, the heir is about to get out of his sleeve a strong support in the person of Nicolas Sarkozy. According to the weekly Marianne, the former President of the Republic could join the Lagardère group's supervisory board. This appointment would take place in May, during the general assembly.
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In the meantime, each side sharpens its weapons. The British fund Amber, which criticizes both Lagardère's strategy and governance, has strengthened its positions. Since mid-February, with 10.58% of the capital, it has become the group's second shareholder, behind the sovereign fund of Qatar (13%), but ahead of Arnaud Lagardère (7.3%), even if the latter retains even more voting rights. With its position, Amber Capital intends to attack. It wishes to request the appointment of one or more members of the supervisory board and, above all, to capsize the group's governance. The fund is campaigning in fact for the abolition of the sponsorship status, which currently makes the company's director, Arnaud Lagardère, irremovable.
It is to ward off the blow that it calls to the rescue the ex-tenant of the Élysée. The two men have known each other for a long time. Above all, Nicolas Sarkozy has always had very close relations with Qatar, Lagardère's first shareholder and centerpiece in the confrontation expected in May. Faced with Amber Capital, Arnaud Lagardère tries, thanks to Nicolas Sarkozy to consolidate his alliances.