国际英语新闻:France to prioritize Renault's stability after Ghosn affair: FM

PARIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- France says it will ensure the stability of automaker Renault following the arrest of its chairman, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday.

Chairman Carlos Ghosn of Renault, the country's second largest auto maker and in which France is a 15-percent stakeholder, was arrested Monday in Japan on allegations of financial misconduct, sending the group's stocks tumbling and investors on edge.

"Renault has been weakened, which make it all the more necessary to act quickly," Le Maire said.

"The state as a shareholder will be extremely vigilant to the stability of the alliance and ...we are making all the necessary contacts to ensure the long-term viability of the Renault-Nissan alliance," he added.

Speaking to state-run radio France info, the finance minister stressed the necessity to appoint an interim governance "as soon as possible" as "Carlos Ghosn is no longer in a position where he is capable of leading Renault," he said, adding he would contact his Japanese counterpart over the issue.

On Monday, Japanese car maker Nissan announced that Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo after an internal inquiry revealed his involvement in financial wrongdoings.

He would be removed from Nissan's board this week, it added.

As for Ghosn' fiscal situation in France, the French minister said he had asked the state fiscal authorities for an investigation and that they had found "nothing particular to report."

Early Tuesday, Renault shares were down 3.74 percent, having slumped 8.4 percent on Monday.