Simplification and stability.
These are the two principles that guide the operation carried out between Matthieu Pigasse and Xavier Niel, the two co-managers of Le Monde Libre (a structure that controls the Le Monde group).
Matthieu Pigasse has decided to sell 49% of his shares in "Le Nouveau Monde" (the structure he owns with Daniel Kretinsky) to Xavier Niel.
The amount is not made public but it would approach 35 million euros, which corresponds to the sums invested by Matthieu Pigasse in the press group since the takeover in 2010. The latter therefore does not realize any financial capital gain. .
Strengthen the foundation
For his part, Xavier Niel should transfer the titles acquired to the Foundation for the independence of the Press which he created in 2021 to accommodate his own participation.
As a result, in terms of capital, Xavier Niel now owns both his 50% in the Free World plus the 24.5% of the capital that belonged to Matthieu Pigasse.
The latter retains a small share of his holding "The New World" alongside Daniel Kretinsky.
In terms of control, things are not moving.
Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse both remain co-managers of Le Monde Libre, the group's holding company which publishes Le Monde and l'Obs.
