Overview

• The 70‑year‑old former Système U chief was appointed on October 12 to oversee SMEs, commerce, artisanry, tourism and purchasing power.
• He told AFP he wants to “incarnate the daily life of the French” and welcomed the entry of civil society into government.
• Papin led Système U from 2005 to 2018 after starting in retail in the 1970s, making him a familiar voice on distribution and consumer issues.
• His 2020 report on distributor–supplier relations helped shape the Egalim 2 law intended to better protect farmers’ remuneration.
• He succeeds Véronique Louwagie after Les Républicains declined to join the executive, and he recently left Auchan Retail International’s board while serving on Nous anti‑gaspi’s supervisory board.