French politician says Paris move to steal London jobs ISN'T to 'punish' UK for Brexit
A FRENCH politician who has called for Paris to “take advantage” of Britain’s decision to leave the EU says it is “not to punish Brits”.
French politician: We did not expect Britain to vote leave
Valerie Pecresse, president of Ile-de-France, a region in north-central France which includes Paris, has said the French capital can attract financial firms and had a lot to offer.
Speaking on CNBC, Ms Pecresse said the move would not be to penalise UK citizens, who she was shocked voted for Brexit, but Paris should compete with other European cities.
The current French assembly member said: “We were very sad when we heard about the Brexit vote. We didn’t believe that the British people would vote Leave.
“But this vote started a process of competition between all the metropolis of continental Europe and in this competition I think, Paris has got many assets and I want, of course, to take advantage of this situation.
Valerie Pecresse says Paris move is not to "punish Brits"
I don’t think that Paris should yield in front of the competition
“But not to punish the British people, just because I don’t think that Paris should yield in front of the competition.”
Ms Pecresse added Paris was the first financial city on the continent and was twice as big in asset management as Frankfurt.
She said: “We are the only global economic city in continental Europe, like London, but on the continent.”
Ms Pecresse, an ally of French presidential candidate Francois Fillon, has claimed the UK couldn’t expect to enjoy the “advantages” of the European Union without undertaking “duties”.
She added the EU exit had triggered huge competition for European cities to try and take business from London.
She has also urged global banks to ditch the City of London because the “markets are in Europe” and Brexit might mean an end to the financial passporting rights currently enjoyed in Britain.