Jean Castex, the newly appointed CEO of France's national railway company SNCF, has outlined his moderate stance on market competition in the rail industry. In a recent interview, Castex emphasized his pragmatic approach to the ongoing debates about opening the railway sector to increased competition.

"I am neither an opponent on principle nor a fundamentalist when it comes to opening up to competition," Castex stated during the interview. This balanced position reflects his intention to navigate between opposing viewpoints as he takes on leadership of one of France's most important public transportation companies.

Castex's appointment to head SNCF comes at a critical time when the French railway system faces numerous challenges, including infrastructure modernization, competition from private operators, and evolving passenger expectations. His previous experience in government positions him to handle the complex political and economic considerations involved in railway management.

The new CEO's comments suggest he will pursue a measured approach to reform, neither completely resisting competitive pressures nor embracing them without consideration for SNCF's traditional role as a public service provider. This positioning may help bridge divides between those who advocate for complete market liberalization and those who prefer maintaining strong state control over railway operations.