Senate hears billionaire Sterin on inheritance law reform

French billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin appeared before a Senate committee on Thursday, using the hearing to advocate for changes to inheritance law and to outline a political agenda aimed at shifting the country to the right. The 52-year-old businessman, who lives in Belgium, pleaded with lawmakers to modify France's forced heirship rules so he could disinherit his five children and leave his fortune to philanthropic causes instead.

Under current French succession law, rooted in Napoleonic code, approximately three-quarters of a person's assets must be passed to their children. Sterin told senators he favors the ability to do whatever one wants with one's patrimony. His appeal was made before a committee examining private sector financing and influence on public policymaking. His appearance via video link followed a previous incident where he angered deputies in the National Assembly by failing to attend a hearing, citing death threats and security risks.

During the same session, Sterin laid out his political objectives. He described his operation as "metapolitical" and said his aim is to spread free-market, conservative ideas as widely as possible. He expressed hope that this...