Le Monde staff own a majority stake in the paper, and worry recapitalisation through Lagardere and Prisa would turn them into minority shareholders.

The paper's outside shareholders are scheduled on Friday to vote on Fottorino becoming the new CEO. Because staff own the controlling shares, they have veto power over who becomes editor and CEO.

“If I am elected on Jan. 25, I will propose to set up a commission to assess the issues, the players and the terms of a recapitalisation,” Fottorino said, according to Reuters.