In the book, co-written with former Paris deputy mayor Jean-Louis Misika and billed by publisher Flammarion as a “conversation between friends,” the billionaire said it would be “great” to become mayor.
Niel made his name and fortune in the world of telecommunications by launching France’s first internet provider in 1993. Born in the Paris suburb of Maisons-Alfort, the 57-year-old went on to found French telecommunications company Iliad. Parent company of Free, one of France’s largest internet providers.
He is also a major investor in French media, co-owner of the French daily Le Monde, and a major investor in the popular messaging app Telegram, whose founder Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris in late August. He is also an investor. In September, he joined the board of ByteDance, the Chinese group that owns the social platform TikTok.
As for how he would govern, Niel said he had ideas for Grand Paris, a public works project aimed at better connecting the French capital and its suburban areas.
“I don’t know if I can do better than others, but I want to use my money to help my city, like businessman (Mike) Bloomberg who became mayor of New York,” he said. Said.
The next mayoral election in the French capital is scheduled for 2026. Current Mayor Anne Hidalgo will face off against Culture Minister Rashida Dati, who has already announced plans to run.
But Neil seems wise to the reality of his opportunity, describing the idea as “a dream I can cherish.”
For the time being, a younger generation of mayors would be better suited, he said in his book, adding: “We’re going to need a young, different mayor, the exact opposite of the one I represent.”
