"I have just learned that I was nominated for the Legion of honour. I refuse this nomination because I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable," Piketty told AFP.
"They would do better to concentrate on reviving (economic) growth in France and Europe," added Piketty, who was once close to the Socialist Party but has distanced himself from the policies of President Francois Hollande.
The 43-year-old economist was on the published list of nominees for the prestigious award on January 1st. Other recipients included France's two 2014 Nobel laureates, Jean Tirole, the winner of the economics prize, and Patrick Modiano for literature. Comments to taglines82@gmail.com
