"If I am elected, I do not gèlerai, but I stoop down the salary of the president and ministers of 30%." By November 2011, Francois Hollande had made the campaign promise very symbolic, while Nicolas Sarkozy marked the spirits in increase of 172% net salary (of 7,084 to 19,331 euros) on arrival at the Elysee. Invited on France 2 on Wednesday night, the new prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, announced that this commitment would be the first of his government. Hardly installed at Matignon, he will propose a 30% drop in the wages of members of government from the first cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon. "This is exemplary," said he explained. This measure will be a decree, he said.

The gross monthly salary of Ministers will be up to 14,200 euros per month, to 9,940 euros. That of the Prime Minister will also be trimmed from 21,200 euros to 14,840 euros gross. Like, finally, the compensation of the President of the Republic. With a plane that has a surprising consequence. Ex-Ministers continue to earn more than their successors for another six months. Indeed, each team member Francois Fillon retain his salary during this period. A privilege granted to all former ministers, who lose their theory, however, other benefits.

Largest decline in Europe

If they come later than in other European countries, this decline in compensation of government is by far the strongest. One of the first to take this measure, as he tried to impose on his country a vast austerity plan, was the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. From 2009, he had reduced his salary and that of his ministers by 15%. In the process, in May 2010, Spain followed the movement by announcing a 15% reduction of salaries of its ministers. In the UK, the British prime minister, David Cameron, newly installed in power, his ministers imposed a 5% decrease in their pay. A dry diet made subsequently by Italy and Portugal, among others.

In Europe a constraint to fiscal Germany still appears a prosperous island. While the German economy grew by 2% annual rate in the first quarter, Angela Merkel and her ministers were granted for the first time in twelve years an increase of wages. The Cabinet decided on Wednesday to a 5.7% increase in three stages by August 2013, bringing the salary of Angela Merkel to about 17,016 euros gross per month and those of his ministers to about 13,795 euros.  

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Since Friday, the plant Fralib is occupied by its employees. A situation that is denounced by the president of Unilever France, Bruno Witvoët. "This is unacceptable in a constitutional state, says in an interview in Paris-Today-in-France. Such a coup with hooded individuals armed with baseball bats and batons, it is not of union action, it's a commando! ". The boss of Unilever France claiming the expulsion "immediate and prompt action with law enforcement" employees, has also filed a complaint for "physical threats" from the police. "From fabrications," Olivier replied Leberquier, CGT union. According to the police of Aubagne, intervened at the scene, there would have been no collision.

"Holland must keep its promises"

"Closing a plant is always a very difficult decision, Bruno recognizes Witvoët. But in some cases – including tea bags – we have overcapacity. This is justified in stopping this site ". He said Unilever has taken responsibility in the case of employees of Fralib, accepting "to add additional resources for the revitalization of the local employment" as required by justice. "Funds for creating new jobs has increased from 1 to 1.5 million euros" and "each dismissed employee is entitled to an internal transfer, pay the same conditions, in one of six other plants in France , "he said.

This new twist, the 592nd day of the conflict comes as 80 of the 103 employees still struggle, of 182 initially received their letter of dismissal. At the same time, a moving company came to do a quote on the site, and management proposed the CGT to move out of its local business, or in organizing the escorted access, for reasons of safety concerns, dismantling machinery. A scenario rejected by the union, which wants to keep the tool working on site to implement an alternative plan of recovery of activity.

Given this situation, unions are demanding the intervention of Francois Hollande. During the presidential campaign, President-elect said: "Nothing is done, nothing is guaranteed and if victory comes, I will also be at your side, President of the French Republic, to get your site live, had he launched at a meeting of employees Fralib in Paris in February. "The company is now under the control of the CGT and the Netherlands should keep its promises. His election is a ray of hope, "says Olivier Leberquier. The standoff between employees Fralib and its direction is far from over.

The call to strike by three unions (CGT, CFDT and UNSA) air traffic controllers will cancel and delay several flights to Orly and some regional airports. At Air France, which opened two new bases Sunday in Toulouse and Nice, we ensure that customers affected by these disturbances have already been informed by SMS or e-mail. "All flight information is available the day before departure and updates in real time" on the website or via smartphone applications. The company says that there will be no cancellation of your from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, otherwise some delays.

For its part, easyJet has already canceled 16 flights Monday to departure or arrival airport Orly and advises all passengers to "check the status of their flights regularly." In all, the airlines had to remove 20% of their flights on Mondays and Tuesdays departing or arriving at Orly need a personal loan with bad credit.

Eighteen flights have already been canceled at Lyon Saint-Exupery. These flights come from or go to Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Pau and Metz.

The unions called the strike to oppose a plan to restructure air traffic control services in the provinces, which would imply a decline in numbers. Air traffic controllers, agents of the public service, have an obligation to provide minimum services. However, if the strike notice is required, the strikers did not have to declare individually 48 hours in advance, as is the case for railway or recently for pilots and stewards.

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A first in the presidential campaign. Seven of the ten candidates have succeeded on Thursday on the same stage: that of the 66th Congress of the FNSEA in Montpellier (Hérault). Only the far left was missing, including Jean-Luc Melenchon.

All candidates have outlined three major challenges. First, that of the environment, including the management of water, while the French countryside lack of rain for the second consecutive year. Nicolas Sarkozy promised a simplification of administrative authorizations: "It is enough of a preliminary statement" to build dams for irrigation of crops, "up to 350,000 m3." Other candidates have called for better water management. "We're going to crises increasingly frequent and difficult," warned François Bayrou. Also on the environmental component, Francois Hollande has put forward the alternative energy sources. "Biogas, biofuel, biomass, these are new sources of energy and new income for farmers, said the PS candidate. We must share these investments. We will adopt a tax incentive. "

Secondly, virtually consensual: the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). "I welcome the positive signs that the new CAP takes with keeping its budget. Aids represent fair compensation for the farmer to a policy of low prices to the consumer ", ruled Francois Bayrou. Marine Le Pen is the only advocate a judgment of the CAP in favor of a "PAF" (French agricultural policy), that is to say a re-nationalization of aid. "I am here to defend the interests of French gardeners and French consumers. I do not want a Europe which includes agricultural servant of the WTO, "warned the leading frontist. The sovereigntist Nicolas Dupont-Aignan demanded "firm renegotiation of the CAP because we pay $ 7 billion more to the EU budget that we receive."

Reduction in the hourly cost

Finally, the third item listed, competitiveness. France is now the third largest in Europe in trade of agricultural and food products, behind Germany and the Netherlands. "There must be logical and contractual solidarity, to be more competitive. This will be the sense of public investment bank that will support the development of SMEs in the food industry, pleaded Francois Hollande. We will develop a collective and not individual contract between farmers and manufacturers, allowing visibility of volumes but also the prices. "

Nicolas Sarkozy has defended his hand down the cost schedule adopted under his five-year seasonal and the permanent employees that will result from the social VAT. "97% of agricultural workers are covered by a 5.4% decrease in payroll taxes," he repeated. As for the little candidate Jacques Cheminade, which boasts a history of commercial counselor of France in New York, he is committed to "put innovation and research at the center of the debate on agriculture to meet the challenge of 2050, that of feeding 9 billion of men. "

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17 billion euros in investments, 164,000 jobs directly and 97,000 indirectly. Which to house the mammoth project? Madrid against Barcelona: the contenders are the most powerful cities of Spain … and two eternal rivals, in politics as on the football field.

A funny clásico, fanned by a singular trophy: the U.S. company Las Vegas Sands wants to establish in Spain's largest casino complex on the Old Continent. "Eurovegas" must be the European version of the world capital of the game Six casinos, 36,000 hotel rooms, three golf courses, a 15,000-seat auditorium

.

The figures, astronomical, are salivating entrepreneurs and politicians, while the country is mired in negative growth and an unemployment rate near 23%. The real estate engine "miracle" Spanish is down. Regions and municipalities in crisis seek relays create jobs and tax revenue.

In desperation, local politicians are suitable for all investors games. Left to take a project still vague for a real growth driver. Leaves to forget that five years ago, a similar idea had generated the same enthusiasm in Aragon, before developers do not suddenly reverse.

Barcelona or Madrid? Sheldon Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands, hesitates. After a year of study and 7.6 million euros spent, however, the decision must fall rapidly before the summer, the billionaire promises.

Rebates and exemptions

His communications director, Ron Reese, said the two cities "are tied." The project, said Reese, who will go to that show the more "flexible". The list of requirements is long Adelson as a letter to Santa. His company is seeking exemptions from social contributions and tax rebates. She wants the standards against money laundering to be relaxed to facilitate, she said, remittances players. Besides other applications wackiest, like creating a MBA in the gaming industry, or the lifting of the ban on smoking in rooms.

These requirements seem exorbitant to upset any politician. In Barcelona, ​​we recall that the project needs to attract 11 million visitors. "Quality tourism" believes the President of Catalonia, Artur Mas.

In Madrid, the figure of 260,000 jobs dizzy: it represents half the number of unemployed in the region. The president of the autonomous government, Esperanza Aguirre, has promised to make "all necessary legal modifications, as they do not violate [its] principles."

Demonstration in Madrid

Thousands of people rallied Sunday in the streets of Madrid to the appeal of unions, against labor reform implemented by the government the right to fight against unemployment, the mobilization test before a general strike scheduled for March 29.

The two main Spanish unions, UGT and CCOO, have called for demonstrations in 60 cities in Spain, to protest a reform they deem "unfair and ineffective" and "defense of public services".

Carrying red flags and placards with the words "no budget cuts", "No to social regression", shouting "we will not pay their debts with health and education", thousands of protesters stormed the center Madrid. 

The Conservative government of Mariano Rajoy adopted on February 11 for further reform of labor market flexibility, including lower redundancy payments and measures to stimulate youth employment.

CNP Assurances, the French champion of savings, is preparing to turn a page. That of the fourteen executive Gilles Benoist, whose term expires on June 7, at the general meeting of the group. The board should appoint a successor by then, probably in April.

Both candidates are friends of the house is officially reported to the nominating committee: Antoine Lissowski, CFO of NOC, supported by Gilles Benoist, and Augustin de Romanet, the CEO of the Caisse des Depots, parent company of CNP, which term ends on March 7. Banquy Didier, chief of staff Baroin at Bercy, have also expressed strong interest in a few weeks ago. In parallel, the Presidency of the insurance company will also be renewed. Edmond Alphandery wishes to maintain this position, but it could be countered by projects Michel Bouvard. The current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Caisse des Depots et de Savoie MP is not standing for parliamentary elections and running for office. The question is whether a parallel appointment of two directors of the Caisse des Depots would be accepted.

Expand distribution

Whatever the identity of the future direction, it must address major challenges. The model of NPC, sitting on a rule of life insurance in France is slowing. In 2011, the turnover of the institution fell by 7.1%, to 30 billion euros, after a year of stagnation in 2010. Savings activities have plunged 13.4%, sealed by the difficulties of life insurance in France and Italy. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in retirement activities (17 payday loans.7%) and pensions (11%). In the end, the institution made a profit, down 17% from 872 million euros, affected by provisions in Greece and financial market volatility. "Most of these shocks has been absorbed by the insured, due to a lower rate of participation in profits", said Gilles Benoist, the Director General. Most life insurance contracts provides that losses as gains in the markets are passed on to policyholders.

Gilles Benoist has already begun a broad effort to diversify business (retirement, pension, loan …) and geographic markets in its group. International operations, excluding France, and the end of 2010 represented 37% of gross operating profit of the company. Today, products of CNP are distributed through the networks of La Banque Postale and the Savings Banks. These trade agreements, completed an equity investment, which run until 2015, can be discussed again this year.

The priority for CNP Assurances is now expanding its distribution channels. The company is therefore exploring the opportunity to partner with a third partner. Several schemes, still very early, are being studied. They would favor, according to our information, the card mutual, with reflections on networks and Groupama Covéa (GMF, Maaf, MMA).

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The examination of the text in the Committee gave an idea of ​​the issues that should be hotly debated in the majority, and amendments likely. The major themes: the subjugation of parental leave benefits (CLCA) to the CSG, the reduction in benefits for loss of work and the fight against fraud.

On this point, several amendments of the UMP Dominique Tian were approved by the Committee on Social Affairs. "I support and I ask the group to vote, says the boss of UMP deputies, Christian Jacob.They stem from the report of the assessment mission and control of social security (MECSS), adopted unanimously, "left and right confused.

The first is to redefine the concept of "single person", which comes into play in the payment of benefits as the single parent allowance (API, now part of RSA). "That is to reverse the burden of proof. Anyone applying for the allocation should show that it is only to take on household expenses: rent, electricity, etc.. "

Another measure supported by Christian Jacob, the suspension of all benefits in the event of obtaining a number Safely from forged identity documents."Credit unions did not have that opportunity, which of course added to criminal sanctions," said the president of the UMP group.

Recalculation of benefits sick

Former Minister for Family, Christian Jacob is also aligned with the Committee on Social Affairs to refuse to submit to the 6 payday loans.2% CSG few hundred euros a month if paid parental leave. The measure, sought by the government, must report 140 million per year.

Another controversial issue up within the majority: the new method of calculating sick leave benefits, which reduces the amount of about 6% to a gain of 220 million.The issue will be discussed at today's meeting of the UMP group.

Additional tools to fight against fraud they relate enough to give these provisions without widening the deficit? Yves Bur questioned, at least in the short term, these tools put the time to bear fruit.

"The fraud MECSS evaluates the single parent allowance in the range from 160 to 300 million euros a year, and those arising from forgery to 1.3 billion, said Christian Jacob. By definition, quantify the extent of fraud is difficult and estimates are wide.But it is important symbolically, when efforts are required from all the French, to hit hard on fraud. "

Yves Bur adds other proposals to generate more savings: lower third of the threshold for taxation of benefits breach of contract work (out of court for dismissal …) to 72,700 euros, or launch tenders for the supply of generic drugs and drive down the price as well. He hopes to gain large enough to give up the measure on sick leave … while fearing that the government, looking for additional savings, retains all final.

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At its last monthly press conference as president of the monetary institution, Jean-Claude Trichet said the ECB expects inflation "clearly above 2% in the coming months," before descending. One way to tell between the lines that interest rates are unlikely to be lowered over the next two months. Inflation in the euro zone peaked at 3% in September, a point above the objective of the ECB.

Still, the market calls for a rate cut."It reflects a lower rate of 0.5", observe the economists Societe Generale. Waiting judged "crazy" in the short term by the Luxembourg member of the Governing Council of the ECB, Yves Mersch.

The case for a rate cut was not, however, rule out of hand. For if the decision was consensus among the governors of the institution, the discussions were long, admitted Jean-Claude Trichet: "There was a discusion about the pros and cons of a rate cut or a maintenance of rates. After this long discussion, which was, I would say, as thorough and comprehensive as possible, we decided by consensus to maintain the rates. "

Some analysts point to a worrying season looming disaster on the front of the activity in the eurozone."The risks to growth, was talking about last month the President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet, materialize," are economists at BNP Paribas CIB. In addition, "forecast the ECB behind sluggish growth at year end," they add online pay day loans.

Semi-surprise

The inaction of the ECB, however, is only half surprised. Jean-Claude Trichet, whose every word, in its public statements, is weighed, has not hinted in September that the ECB cut rates. Moreover, "the guardian of the euro zone will wait to act to have more evidence that inflation and growth will slow," noted economist of Nomura.

Observers expect more on a rate cut later this year. "Jean-Claude Trichet is expected to set the stage Thursday in a future rate cut in the next three months," analysts at Nomura advance.

Measures for banks

Taking note of the tense situation of European banks, the ECB launched a series of measures. It provides two refinancing operations unlimited volume of about a year in October and December. This exceptional instrument had not been asked since December 2009.

Jean-Claude Trichet also announced a relaunch of the repurchase program bonds. This will cover 40 billion euros between November 2011 and October 2012. The "bonds" are essentially backed securities real estate, and essential to the survival of many specialized banks in Europe. The purpose of all these operations is "to ensure that banks in the euro area are not limited in regard to liquidity," said French.

The ECB has also called for a recapitalization of institutions in the euro area. They must "do whatever is necessary to strengthen their balance sheets," pleaded Jean-Claude Trichet, using it for their profits, or paying wages "moderate".

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Basis of bank balance sheets, equity protect in case of hardship, by absorbing the losses. For decades, regulators consider that the level of capital a bank against its commitments is the best indicator of its strength. The 2008 financial crisis has only reinforced this analysis for the simple reason that supervisors realized they had been unable to prevent it. Thus, their goal now is to reduce the impact of future crises, by ensuring that banks have sufficient buffers.In particular, the new international regulations, Basel 3, requires that by 2019 no later than the banks' capital should represent at least 7% of their commitments "hard equity" against a floor equivalent to 2% before the crisis .

• 400 billion already raised

In other words, the race started in the capital for a long time in Europe. First in 2008 and 2009 to offset losses from the crisis. And since 2010 to meet the requirements of Basel 3. The European Commission amounted to 340 billion euros state aid in the form of recapitalization of banks that it has validated between 2008 and 2010. Between January and April 2011, banks have continued to increase their capital by 50 billion euros. In total, nearly 400 billion euros were injected into the European banking system in three years. And it's not over.Portugal, Greece or Spain, the governments push to consolidate their banking sectors. European authorities concluded, following stress tests conducted in May, as eight banks of these countries had an immediate need for 2.5 billion euros. But the amount should be much higher because 16 banks, including Germany, remain in a tie no fax payday advance. For European banks, finally, the question is whether the economic downturn will thwart the rise of their ratios by reducing their profits. In which case they will either raise capital or reduce their commitments.

• Who are the deep pockets?

If Christine Lagarde calls on European banks to seek priority to private investors, the plummeting share price of Barclays and other general company since the beginning of the year complicates the equation.The UniCredit, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have had the chance to increase their capital just before the stock market crash of the summer. French banks, they have got just in time a boost through the stock dividend. In this context, it is no coincidence that the last few days of sovereign wealth funds and other major investors are back. Last week, Warren Buffett – who won $ 1.7 billion by betting $ 5 billion over Goldman Sachs in 2008 – has placed a ticket 5 billion in Bank of America. In addition, the merger of the second and third Greek banks is supported by a fund of Qatar. In 2007 and 2008, already, Singapore, Kuwait or China were brought to the rescue of troubled banks in the world.All did not keep good memories, like the fund of Abu Dhabi, Adia had placed $ 7 billion in Citigroup.

However, if by chance the private shareholders do not jostled, European states began to organize to ensure public support for the banking sector. This is the case in Spain, for example. In addition, the Summit of July 21, European governments have decided to allow the European stability fund to recapitalize banks directly if necessary.

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