The logo of Atos is seen on a company building in Nantes, France, March 11, 2022.
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Talks to sell parts of French company Atos (ATOS.PA) to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky are raising concerns among some French lawmakers, who say the deal risks undermining the independence of France's nuclear deterrence.
Lawmakers cannot block a sale of a French company, only the government can if it considers there is a strategic reason for doing so.
The lawmakers questioned why an alternative French buyer, a consortium of French companies Astek and ChapsVision, who were reported in French media to have been interested, were not given more consideration.
A source close to Astek said Atos's cybersecurity business also hosted other sensitive assets crucial to French intelligence interests.
Persons:
Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Atos, Thursday's, Figaro, Cedric Perrin, Kretinsky, Perrin, Astek, Atos's, Michel Rose, Mathieu Rosemain, Sharon Singleton
Organizations:
REUTERS, Les, Kretinsky, Casino, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Nantes, France, Czech, Europe