Alain Gargani Re-elected President of CPME Sud Amid Internal Tensions
The Marseille entrepreneur secures a third term as head of the organization representing small and medium enterprises in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region.
Alain Gargani has been re-elected for a third term as president of the CPME Sud (Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises) on Monday morning, despite facing internal tensions and criticisms from local business leaders.
Gargani, who has led the organization since 2019, was the only candidate for re-election.
His bid occurred against the backdrop of conflicts that emerged following his candidacy for the national presidency earlier this year.
The internal strife has been particularly pronounced following the election in which Véronique Maurel, president of CPME Var and the Union des Entreprises du Var (UPV), chose to support Amir Reza-Tofighi, who was elected president in her place.
This rift reflects a broader dissatisfaction among business leaders in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes regions, notably from the local Medef (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) presidents.
They have criticized Gargani for not taking a swift stance against a new mobility tax approved by the Region Sud.
Concerns about Gargani's leadership have been voiced, particularly by Pierre Ippolito, president of UPE06, who has called for his resignation.
Ippolito cited Gargani's dual role as a regional councillor in charge of digital issues and innovation, arguing it hampers his ability to represent the interests of businesses effectively.
Leading up to the election, Samah Ben Dhia, general secretary of CPME Sud, emphasized the need for strong cohesion to support enterprises, expressing a desire for the upcoming term to be more serene.
Following his re-election, Gargani issued a statement asserting his commitment to prioritizing dialogue over confrontation in his efforts to unite and advance the regional economy.
He also announced the continuation of the Made in PME exhibition in 2026 and plans for a roadshow aimed at promoting best practices in recruitment for small and medium enterprises, building on the insights from a white paper recently published by the organization.
Gargani, who has led the organization since 2019, was the only candidate for re-election.
His bid occurred against the backdrop of conflicts that emerged following his candidacy for the national presidency earlier this year.
The internal strife has been particularly pronounced following the election in which Véronique Maurel, president of CPME Var and the Union des Entreprises du Var (UPV), chose to support Amir Reza-Tofighi, who was elected president in her place.
This rift reflects a broader dissatisfaction among business leaders in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes regions, notably from the local Medef (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) presidents.
They have criticized Gargani for not taking a swift stance against a new mobility tax approved by the Region Sud.
Concerns about Gargani's leadership have been voiced, particularly by Pierre Ippolito, president of UPE06, who has called for his resignation.
Ippolito cited Gargani's dual role as a regional councillor in charge of digital issues and innovation, arguing it hampers his ability to represent the interests of businesses effectively.
Leading up to the election, Samah Ben Dhia, general secretary of CPME Sud, emphasized the need for strong cohesion to support enterprises, expressing a desire for the upcoming term to be more serene.
Following his re-election, Gargani issued a statement asserting his commitment to prioritizing dialogue over confrontation in his efforts to unite and advance the regional economy.
He also announced the continuation of the Made in PME exhibition in 2026 and plans for a roadshow aimed at promoting best practices in recruitment for small and medium enterprises, building on the insights from a white paper recently published by the organization.
