With the potential rise of far-right representation in France's national assembly following the current legislative elections, I’ve been asked whether it was a matter of business to take a stand against the far right and why significant far-right representation could threaten human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD).

Standing up for dignity, respect, equality, and solidarity is both a moral duty and a business imperative. Far-right rhetoric opposes tolerance and inclusion, promoting racism, xenophobia, and hate speech, threatening human rights protection and democratic stability. Societies where some citizens are stigmatized and marginalized are less stable and predictable and suffer from lost human potential, while inclusive and united communities create better environments for businesses to thrive.

"Human rights are the foundation of a healthy society and sustainable business," said Paul Polman, ex-Unilever CEO.

Civil society and businesses coexist in a "shared space", relying on the same legal and institutional frameworks to function. When civic freedoms and the rights of vulnerable groups—such as women, migrants, and LGBTIQ+ people—are undermined, inclusive economies and businesses suffer. The safeguards of these rights support stable legal environments, incentivising national and foreign investments, and corporate innovation in a peaceful context. A tolerant, inclusive, human rights-protection-oriented society is necessary for businesses to operate and grow, but it is threatened by the rise of far-right representation in French institutions.

This rise of the far right in France is also a threat to mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. We are in a crucial Deace for Action (2020-2030): implementing mandatory corporate HREDD is critical to creating a fairer and more liveable world for people and businesses, especially in the face of the devastating impacts of climate change. However, milestones like the transposition of the CSDDD, the effective implementation of the CSRD, the EU Nature Restoration and the EU Forced Labour Ban regulations are threatened by a potential significant representation of the far right in the French National Assembly, which has consistently voted against these crucial instruments in the EU Parliament, even when supported by large enterprises and in the safeguarding of the interests of SMEs.

Businesses' first responsibility is to do no harm, but increasingly, employees, consumers, and citizens expect corporate leaders to take a stand and do good where possible. Many French corporate leaders already recognized the need to defend shared interests, human rights, and values with civil society globally. We hope their voices will be joined by other companies and be heard.