The French state owns a controlling 23 percent stake in the telecom operator and remains a king-maker at the former monopoly.
"I don't want to see the state withdraw," Richard told reporters during a call on the group's new five-year strategic plan.
"It's an element of stability and of strategic support for the company," he added.
(Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)