May 12




 

Wednesday after the nationalization of the first network of savings banks Bankia, the Spanish government on Friday introduced a new banking reform, the second in less than three months. Madrid requires banks an additional provision of $ 30 billion. This will add to the 53 billion that should already be provisioned by the end of the year to cover the risk of real estate the most problematic, representing € 184 billion globally, according to Bank of Spain.

This caution will also be extended to 123 billion of property assets considered non-problematic "for their hypothetical deterioration" in the words of Minister of Economy, Luis de Guindos. In total, Spanish banks will be funded 45% of their total real estate assets by the end of the year. Before the first government reform Rajoy, the rate was only 14%, the minister recalled. Other decision, banks will separate the real estate assets from their balance sheets and place them in specialized agencies, to better assess the right price. "It will be mandatory for all entities," the minister said. In the interests of transparency, and meet there at a request of the Eurogroup, Madrid will carry out audits of accounts. "Two independent evaluators" will be responsible for judging the soundness and credibility of assessments.

Recession in 2013

The question is how banks can finance such levels of provision and how much will be deducted from their own funds. Guindos recalled that during the last injection of public money made by the previous government, the fund Frob had lent 15 billion euros to banks. "The total should be this time significantly lower," he thought, noting that the state would receive an interest rate of 10% on money lent. "The Frob keeps 5 billion in cash. We will see how it will be necessary to supplement, "said Guindos. The Minister further stated that this funding through convertible bonds to five years, would cost "nothing" to the taxpayer.

The exercise of clarity has not convinced the markets: the Madrid Stock Exchange immediately plunged 3%, carried away by banks. The chief minister, Mariano Rajoy, nice hammer that the deficit will not be affected, the target of 5.3% of GDP this year, against 8.5% in December, and above 3% target in 2013 , is very hypothetical. The European Commission, which today released its new forecasts for the euro area, anticipates a deficit of 6.3% of GDP in 2012, even worse, 6.4% in 2013. In less than three months, Brussels has revised up sharply the recession, to 1.8% of GDP, against 1% previously. Next year, the economy would be even the only Iberian euro area to be in red.

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Apr 28




 

LE FIGARO. – The Netherlands seems to suddenly become Eurosceptics. Why?

Luuk van Middelaar. – In reality, they have always been skeptical about some aspects of the European Union. The Netherlands were among the six founding countries, but their motivation was primarily economic, unlike France, which favored the political dimension. The Dutch have always fought for measures that represent an economic interest, such as the European patent. Then the country became a net contributor to EU budget around 2000, which is not conducive to enthusiasm! As for the current debate over the stability pact, we must not underestimate the impact of the crisis of 2003, when Paris and Berlin have violated common rules: it has reinforced the inferiority syndrome of small countries.

Failure in the referendum on the constitution has he not been exceeded?

France and the Netherlands voted no, but for very different reasons. The French were especially opposed to Europe "neoliberal" characterized by the Bolkestein directive on services, named after the Dutch commissioner … In the Netherlands, by contrast, we did not want an "other" Europe, but "less" Europe, if at all! The Dutch were not opposed to a political Europe.

The debate on the return to national currencies is more violent than elsewhere in the Netherlands. Why?

In the Netherlands, the euro has always inspired mistrust. These fears are now confirmed by the mismanagement of other member countries. Dutch MPs debated the creation of two variants of the euro, the "neuro" for the North and the "Zeuro" for the South. But this debate has remained economically, while the euro has a geopolitical origin: it is a concession of the Germans at the time of reunification.

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Mar 22




 

In the context of the presidential campaign, while the left and right compete with virulence, it is an image that does not lack piquancy: two former prime ministers of opposite edges, on a single platform, providing in substance that not a leaf of cigarette paper between their appreciation … not on the investment program for the future. "We welcome the results of this initiative," assured Alain Juppé and Michel Rocard, both co-chairs of the supervisory board of investment for the future, the program led by Rene Ricol.

Two years after the decision to launch a national loan of 35 billion euros to fund the priorities of France tomorrow (higher education and research, industrial sectors and SMEs, sustainable development, digital economy), 894 projects are already funded, according to the latest report released Tuesday. To date, 25 billion euros have been allocated to projects and "several thousand companies benefit directly or indirectly cash advance loan." The leverage of the device should also allow the injection of private money euro per euro of public money.

The General Commission for Investment, has been praised for not having done dusting, not to have been influenced by considerations of land use and to have "ended the French habit of the grant ".

The program funds both campuses of excellence that future vehicle projects, digitization of French films, new generation nuclear reactors or the refurbishment of some thermal units. Tuesday, ten projects were selected in the field of e-education (8.3 million euros in total). Two poles university hospital oncology (Ile-de-France and Toulouse) were also selected (10 million each).

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Feb 24




 

Lefigaro.fr is the first news site in France in January. The study Médiamétrie / NetRatings, it was viewed by over 8.8 million unique visitors a month. A hearing is always the historic site of Figaro to a million users of the follower.

Development, the second place, occupied by Orange in December, was conquered by the Nouvel Observateur. High of 7.7 million unique monthly visitors, the site of the weekly benefits from the integration of "pure player" Rue89, bought in December.

Launched in late January, the site of the Huffington Post has also brought new visitors to the World, which brought together a total of 7.3 million Internet users in January. The web offers daily evening was nevertheless made the steal third place from the site of Le Parisien / Today in France, with nearly 7.5 million unique visitors.

January has generally drawn the hearings of the press line up. Portals and aggregators of articles edited by tech giants have, themselves, not take advantage of the French appetite for news. Orange News was relegated to sixth place in the ranking with 6.7 million unique visitors, Yahoo! News is eighth with 5.4 million visitors, MSN News and Google News are respectively the 11th and 13th.

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Nov 21




A slow start. The English concept of "charity shop" landed in France in 2007 when the NGO Oxfam has opened a used bookstore in Lille. Since then, the association has invested Paris, where two "book stores" have settled in the 14th district and in the 11th. It intends to move to the next level, opening mid-December, its first thrift store in Lille. "In line with our three stores, this new store will offer second-hand clothes, good quality at a smart price," said Stephanie Dufour, Deputy Director General in charge of finance and the development of Oxfam France.

With only four stores in four years, the NGO hard to take off his "charity shops" in France. In comparison, there were 45 shops in Ireland in 2010, 36 in Germany (where it is installed since 1995), 42 in Belgium and 697 in Britain, where the phenomenon was born in the 1940s.Today there are nearly 9000 "charity shops" across the Channel, all groups combined. "The concept is relatively new in France. It takes time to make it known, "said Stephanie Dufour. The charge is, however, before encouraging figures. "Our bookshop in Lille will achieve a turnover of 120,000 euros in 2011, a very respectable performance and comparable to those of traditional libraries."

Stores "like the others"

Unlike other charity shops such as boutiques Emmaus 300 or nearly 800 "locker room" and "vestiboutiques" of the Red Cross, Oxfam outlets wants to blend into the landscape business. "We develop like other stores, as well stocked and equipped.

Nov 2




The decision was surprised by its form. Under pressure from his people and political parties, George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, announced Monday night to organize a national referendum. Formally, it is to approve the agreement reached last week by the Europeans to clear part of the country's public debt. But in fact, the flexibility of George Papandreou was too small for the government to continue implementing the reforms. "The country is paralyzed for over a month. On the one hand all of the political demand for elections, on the other there is the street. Between working to rule and those that slow the activity, no one works, "said Giorgos Delastik, a political analyst. "It must be added those who can not afford to pay their bills, and violence in the behavior of people who have nothing to lose us fast cash."Indeed, for the first time since the return of democracy in Greece in 1974, the National Day parade was canceled in fifteen cities. In Thessaloniki, in northern countries, tens of Greeks threw eggs and projectiles on official incentives Karolos Papoulias, President of the Republic to leave. In a letter to Prime Minister, Mikis Theodorakis, symbol of resistance to the junta of colonels also called George Papandreou to take responsibility.

This has now changed. In front of the Socialist parliamentary group, Greek Prime Minister did not mince his words: "The will of the Greek people appealing to us," said Papandreou. It will also seek a confidence vote in Parliament on the agreement on debt.

Oct 25




The UMP deputies know that the growth forecast (1.75%) on which the draft budget for 2012 is revised downwards, and a new train of savings 5-7000000000 necessary, in addition to 11 billion already planned for next year. "The 2012 budget is credible, but it can be denied by a significant slowdown in growth," Analysis Louis Giscard d'Estaing. The Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Assembly recalls that "the time of the government of Lionel Jospin, it was the logic of the cicada, while in Germany Gerhard Schröder had imposed a cure without reduction of wage restraint working time, in line with the ant. But the wind is coming … "says the deputy of Puy de Dome, paraphrasing the fable of La Fontaine.Vice President of the National Assembly warned the Socialists: "Those who would maintain the idea that there is room for maneuver in the reuse of public spending, as does Francois Hollande, would directly threaten the notation France and our ability to deleverage. "

However, Louis Giscard d'Estaing is convinced that there is still food for thought in the financing of 35 hours. He will file an amendment in the bill funding the Social Security (PLFSS) for further reduce the limit on exemptions from employer contributions on wages at 1.5 times the minimum wage (currently against 1.6). Which would represent just over one billion euros in savings, if the measure comes into force on 1 January. He even suggested to lower the ceiling to 1.4 times the minimum wage in July 2012 to "give companies time to adjust."The UMP also suggests to "a general movement of the plane of the allocations to the operators of the state" by reducing them to 3% in 2012 No teletrak payday loan.

"Do not replace two staff on three"

In this area, Hervé Mariton (UMP, Drôme) also proposes to "ease the regulations that impact cost." Other proposals of the Liberal "not to replace two of three officials" and "examining investments less profitable," particularly in the area of ​​infrastructure. "Do not panic about short-term savings. We will be judged on the strength and seriousness of a savings plan in the long term, "said Mariton. Special Rapporteur of the mission work jobs, Chantal Brunel (UMP, Seine-et-Marne) will propose to leave the tax deduction on home jobs "all leisure activities and relaxation."Isabelle Vasseur (UMP, Aisne), Rapporteur of the Finance Committee on Social Security Financing Bill, will propose this afternoon the establishment of "prevention, source of major savings in health" she assures.

The former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Jean Arthuis think we need to "reduce the amount of grants to local authorities" and "to lower executive compensation operators of the state." Former budget minister, Dominique Bussereau is more cautious: "We are still on the bone. The revision of public policies (RGPP) was very effective, so that the state is under-Box at the local level, "says he.

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Oct 20




29.9 billion euros. This is the minimum cost per year, calculated by the Institute of the company, the sixteen main proposals of the socialist program and François Hollande for the presidency in 2012.

Measures François Hollande

The Institute has calculated the company eight measures developed by the Socialist candidate in the primary. First, the creation of 12,000 teaching positions per year, or 60,000 on the five-year term. This would cost 360 million euros per year, cumulative $ 1.8 billion in 2017. "These new posts create an implicit debt to the State, which undertakes to pay the pensions of these agents when they reach retirement age," says the Institute. The rating is saltier contracts for generation, exempting charges for three years as a young recruit companies while maintaining a senior job.This measure, the five-year cumulative, burden on public finances from 30.5 to 33 billion.

Another strong measure: the extension of the RSA under 25 years of activity without preconditions. The Enterprise Institute estimates that 120,000 to 200,000 young people could be affected, which would represent an annual cost of 528 to 876,000,000. With "a serious risk of imprisonment in a youth inactivity trap and a significant risk of fraud", the RSA representative "70% of the money diverted to family allowance." The Institute also estimated the cost of the massive development of renewable energy and reducing from 75 to 50% of the nuclear power generation by 2025. The bill? 10.9 billion a year.If this effort can reduce French imports of energy, it will be "on the other hand a negative effect on the purchasing power of households, through the rising cost of energy bills," warns the IDE.

The measures of the Socialist Party

Winner of the primary, Francois Hollande has not yet specified what action the program he intended to resume the PS paperless payday loans. The Institute has calculated the company in the main. The establishment of a public early childhood, a key measure of the project would cost between 4.5 and 5 billion per year. Half the budget of the justice! The bulk of the bill would come from the creation of 360,000 childcare places (3.8 billion per year … just by operating costs), welcoming children from 2 years to kindergarten cost him, by 720 million year.Much controversy as the assistant accused of favoring the creation of a study allowance for trainees is paradoxically less expensive. The Institute's $ 1.3 billion per year. The reason? This new allowance would replace other aid, and especially young people concerned only with limited resources. The bill would particularly high, however (9.6 billion per year), if the allowance was extended to all students, warns the Institute.

In a more traditional vein, the PS promotes the appreciation of the disabled adult allowance (AAH) and better care for older people, through the personal autonomy allowance (APA).According to the Institute, which takes the hypothesis of a revaluation of these allowances by 20% over five years, the AAH would cost $ 1.7 to $ 1.9 billion a year more, and the APA, 1, 5-2100000000.

Cell quantification of presidential projects, implemented by the Institute of the company, will now address the evaluation of the revenue side of the PS program. The question is whether Francois Hollande planned 30 billion of resources to balance its balance sheet. Last outstanding issue: the institute did not look back on the pension reform, suggested by the PS but never clearly put on the table by François Hollande. If this were the case, the encryption would rise much faster.

"DOCUMENT – The costing of proposals of the socialist project

Oct 4




It is half a relief to senior citizens out of work. Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand said Monday on RMC and BFM TV partial restoration of the retirement equivalent allowance (REA) abolished on 1 January. At a cost of 1000 euros per month maximum, this aid was a replacement income for the unemployed who have reached the required number of quarters, but not the legal age of retirement.

Established in 2002, the EAR allowed these people, who generally have started working very early, wait until they receive a full pension. Its removal has the financial difficulties some 40,000 people who benefited and who have seen their incomes for many fall by half.Most do in fact perceive more than the specific solidarity allowance, amounting to 467 euros maximum.

"Poor"

As the government had already hinted in September, the retirement allowance equivalent will be restored retroactively from July, but on narrower grounds. The device now called "transitional allowance of solidarity" will concern only those born between July 1951 and December 1953 or, as determined by the Department of Labor, about 11,000 people. It is designed primarily for senior citizens affected by the pension reform adopted last year, which pushes for four months a year the legal age of retirement, from 1 July.

The disbursements are therefore not the same: the retirement allowance equivalent relieve the coffers of more than 200 million euros a year according to the unions, when the new version should not cost more than 30 million. "This is clearly insufficient, responded on Monday the association against the removal of the AER. It ensured the precarious for more than 30,000 people. " "We find that inuspportable employees with a full career are found in social minimum," adds Laurent Berger, in charge of employment at the CFDT.

The decree establishing this recovery, however, should be published in the coming weeks. The issue is even more sensitive than the unemployment of older workers continues to widen, inflating the number of employees who would have been entitled to the allowance equivalent withdrawal before its reform.According to the latest figures released by the Dares, 560,300 people over age 50 were unemployed in August, a number up 13.5% year on year.

Sep 27




Asia has finally been convinced by the rebound experienced by stock markets Monday in Europe and the United States. Shortly before 7 am (Paris time), and the Nikkei 225 gained 1.80% to 8524.16 points. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong Stock Exchange rose by its side of 2.81% to 2427.92 points. In Shanghai, the CSI 300 advances from 0.32% to 2619.27 points while the Kospi index in Seoul gained 3.44% to 1709.61 points. The day before, the Asian stock markets remained anchored in the red.

After heavy losses last week, investors marked a pause in fact, driven by renewed optimism about the debt crisis in the eurozone. Europe, for the voice of the spokesman for the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn, in fact, shows its commitment to strengthen the capacity of the relief funds in the euro area (EFSF).

Tokyo ready to buy bonds EFSF

The Japanese government has also indicated a willingness to buy more bonds relief fund if the European authorities in the euro area establish a mechanism to calm markets. "If a plan is launched to ease tensions in financial markets by helping Greece, I do not exclude that Japan is participating," said Tuesday the Japanese Minister of Finance, Jun Azumi. Japan already suffers from the crisis in Europe: the yen peaked against the euro, hurting Japanese exporters values. Monday, the European currency reached its lowest level since June 2001, at 102.18 yen. It is worth 103.28 yen Tuesday morning.

In terms of raw materials, oil falls sharply higher after having dropped more than eight dollars last week.A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November gained 1.15 dollars to 81.39 dollars in early electronic trading, having closed up 39 cents Monday. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery, which ended virtually unchanged Monday (-3 cents), advances, meanwhile, 95 cents to 104.89 dollars.

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