French parliament approves Xavier Piechaczyk as new CEO of RATP

Xavier Piechaczyk has received parliamentary approval to become the next Chief Executive Officer of RATP.

On 28 January, the sustainable development committees of the Assemblée nationale and the Sénat approved President Emmanuel Macron’s nominee in a joint vote, with 58 out of 70 votes cast in favour. Under Article 13 of the French Constitution, a two-thirds majority would have been required to block the appointment. The confirmation now awaits a formal decree to be issued in a cabinet meeting, completing the procedure.

The appointment brings to a close the selection process for the leadership of RATP, following the departure of Jean Castex in November 2025 to take over at SNCF.

Xavier Piechaczyk: from RTE to RATP

Xavier Piechaczyk has spent more than a decade at RTE Réseau de Transport d’Électricité, serving first as deputy chief executive in charge of customer and regional networks and, since September 2020, as president of the executive board. RTE is the operator of France’s high-voltage electricity transmission network. His career has been spent within public administration and state-controlled entities, with responsibilities linked to the management of strategic infrastructure.

Prior to RTE, he held advisory positions on energy, transport, environment and housing at both the Presidency of the Republic and the Prime Minister’s Office. Earlier roles included senior management posts within the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Equipment, with responsibilities spanning transport services and national road network development. He is an engineer of the Corps des Ponts et Chaussées, holds a master’s degree from École nationale des ponts et chaussées, and a doctorate in political science from Sciences Po Grenoble.