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It is wrong to believe that May 1st is "traditionally" non-political in France! Since the first observance of Labor Day in 1891 in the Hexagon – which ended in a shootout by 9 victims in Fourmies (North) -, the protests have always been exploited politically. Including the left, which long ago found a way to fight "big capital". It was in Paris in 1889, at the meeting of the Second Socialist International, as of May 1 was chosen to celebrate Labour Day. The idea came from Raymond Lavigne, an elected socialist Bordeaux. Other collusion, Marshal Pétain decreed in 1941 the statutory holiday of May 1st "Labor Day and national harmony" on a proposal from René Belin, a former leader of the Communist wing of the CGT became Minister of Labour.

For ten years he has not had a chance without the left calls its members to inflate union marches to protest against the political right. In 2003, to oppose the Fillon reform of pensions in 2008 for the first year of Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee, in 2009 against the crisis response

. Between the two towers

Recovery attempts have been such that the union leaders had to restrain the demands of socialist leaders credit score. As in 2010, full pension reform Woerth: Bernard Thibault and François Chérèque had banned members of the staff of PS to march alongside them. A compromise had been reached by organizing a photo during the transition, at a street corner, union leaders. It would have been unrealistic to imagine that in 2012, which falls on 1 May as in every election between the two towers, it could be otherwise. It is only up a notch. The dikes were shattered, and the CGT find nothing wrong with the proposal of Jean-Luc Melenchon to manifest to him. And for good reason.

This will be a year on Tuesday that its leader has taken the field against the reelection of the head of state. On 1 May 2011, on the set of "Grand Jury RTL-Le Figaro-LCI," Bernard Thibault had first confessed that he would not, personally, that Nicolas Sarkozy makes a second term. A statement that had surprised on the day of Labor Day, supposedly, "by tradition" apolitical.

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Benetton where history repeated scandals. There are a few more months, in November 2011, the Italian firm made history again by launching it's ad campaign "UnHate", featuring heads of state kissing easy to get unsecured personal loans.

Alessandro Benetton, son and heir to his wife in 2006 in Venice.

After the price surge of recent years, the Paris property market finds reason. The first stages of court or 5ES without lift no longer sold at the same price as the beautiful well-appointed apartments Haussmann. The buyers picked by hand. They take the time to compare and negotiate prices, with declines of up to 10% of the price of goods with defects. "It takes 50 days to sell a good average. Twice a year ago, "says Sebastien de Lafond, President Meilleursagents. com. Buyers are also much less likely. "There are 30% fewer buyers, but also 20% less in property for sale. The market is not blocked, "he says. The family apartments, the most expensive, more difficulty finding takers. However, small areas are more resistant. It's the same for the central districts most popular, including fourth, sixth and seventh, where the changes are smooth. Falling prices could instead be more pronounced in the south of the twelfth, thirteenth and fifteenth districts and north of the seventeenth and in the nineteenth and twentieth districts.

The neighborhood developed by:

• First, Second, Third, Fourth

• fifth, sixth, seventh

• eighth, sixteenth and seventeenth

• Ninth and Tenth

• eleventh and twelfth

• thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth

• eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth

First, Second, Third, Fourth. Few offers, but more selective buyers

At the heart of the capital, the supply remains limited as always. This does not prevent the consumer to distinguish more and more good from the bad. "We continue to have an average of four buyers for a seller, says Nathalie Naccache, at the head of four Fortis Realty Century 21 agencies spread over the first three arrondissements. But when any property was posted to 10,000 € / m² is over. "For her, the year started better than expected, thanks to the proper maintenance of credit at attractive rates. More than ever, investors are there, despite the new tax, and they flock to small areas well placed. A charming studio of 22 sqm on the 5th floor without elevator, in the Palais Royal, went very quickly for € 240,000, after three visits and three offers at list price, while in Montorgueil, a comparable property is left for € 230,000 bad credit payday advance. However, if the work, maldistribution or lack of light, sales stall if a rebate of 5 to 10% is not consentie.Des more affordable prices are found on the side of the trail, the Halles or neighborhood Arts and Crafts. In the latter area, a 2 bedroom 45 sqm 1st floor but work has sold € 390,000 (€ 8,660 / m²). For its part, the shop real estate, including a network located in the Second and Fourth districts, recorded a net return to calm after an exceptional 2011. "Up to € 300,000, demand remains strong and the products go, the director notes, Thibaut Ponnat. In addition, the time of visit and sales have more than doubled compared to last year. "Among his recent sales: a 2 rooms of 28 m² with a dip in the trail, negotiated € 252 000. In the Marais, French buyers as foreigners are always present. "Simply, the French are negotiating harder, says Fabienne Zouari, director of the agency Orpi the third. There is no real price declines, but the estate with defects are selling more slowly and with a discount of 5%. "Proof of the enduring popularity, it just sold for € 260,000 a studio of 23 m² Rue de Turenne, 3rd floor without elevator, busy with a low rent and needs some work! As for the Ile Saint-Louis, she also knows that limited changes. "Our customers are 60 to 70% foreign, recognizes Eric Jacquet, real estate consultant at Nexity (formerly Lamy). Prices are lightly packed and buyers are more fussy about the quality of the property before the plunge. "This does not prevent transactions to be finalized at very high levels: 13 800 € / m² for a studio 22 sqm on the 1st floor, Quai de Bethune, and nearly 14 500 € / m² for a 62 m² rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, 4th floor.

Fifth, sixth, seventh. The very large surface stall

Censier Street, the demand is there, but buyers believe prices are too high. Photo credits: Gilles Leimdorfer / LE FIGARO MAGAZINE / Le Figaro Magazine

When David attacked Goliath … The BFD software company, building on its 4 million euros in annual turnover and its 37 employees, went into battle against BNP Paribas, which displays 6 billion euros of profit on the clock. According to Le Parisien, she accused the banking giant to have poached one of its engineers in order to terminate a subcontract of 900,000 Euros. The story began when BFD, who worked for three years developing a computer program to BNP Paribas, has suddenly learned earlier this year that this contract would not be renewed. But Philip Michelin, the boss of the company, ensures that negotiations were on track. "I had even planned to mobilize more than five employees on this issue," he tells Le Parisien. Finally, it has laid off four people.

Bad news never comes alone, the boss of BFD was later discovered that one of its best engineers left him to join the ranks of BNP Paribas. Strange coincidence: the employee, who worked for the computer company for twelve years, was supervisor of the BFD program that developed for the bank, called Easy Doc, whose purpose was to enable employees to share their knowledge. "He knew by heart the project. If BNP Paribas has poached is to continue development of Easy-Doc is from our services, "protested Philip Michelin. Sickened, he adds that this hiring is even more "unacceptable" that the contract between BNP Paribas and BFD included an "opt-poaching".  

BFD, which further argues partnerships with other major banks like Societe Generale, Natixis, Credit Agricole and HSBC, does not stop there. The company complained to the High Court. Bailiffs have made a seizure of computer equipment, February 1, the antenna of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, BNP Paribas. "We are looking for emails that could prove that the bank has canvassed the employee," says Philippe Michelin daily. BNP Paribas, meanwhile, declined to comment on "a judicial proceeding."

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Since last summer, bank credit has become scarce for local elected officials. New regulations have made loans to local banks for less advantageous, when Dexia, their traditional bank, plunged. So it is impossible for municipalities, counties and regions to find in private schools 16 to 18 billion in loans they need each year to finance their investments. Aware of the danger, the government called the Deposit to the rescue. Twice, in late 2011 and early 2012, the Fund has allocated credit of 5 billion euros.

But if the fire was extinguished in the short term, elected officials are worried about post-2012. They look for alternative sources of funding. The use of bond markets is limited to major cities and regions. Quite expensive and reserved for communities heavily populated, borrowing from the people is not ideal. Hence the idea, supported by associations of elected officials since September, to create an agency of local government financing, which could provide 25% of their funding. She would borrow on financial markets and then offer loans to member communities. With this system, small communities would have access to the bond market.

But in a report requested by the Parliament, the government is wary shows the feasibility of such an agency. The report doubts that the structure can be rated AAA or even AA +, as expected by local officials. The state itself has lost its triple A!

Risk of debt

Furthermore, "the device does not yet appear likely to develop a truly autonomous structure and without government guarantee," the report said. But the state itself in debt, does not consider such a bond. Moreover, the structure will have significant equity. The equity will be provided by local, that may … have to go into debt to provide money destined to be blocked.

Anyway, the Minister for local government, Philippe Richert, believes that the Agency is not required. Local councilors, who were attached to the agency, probably will challenge this analysis.

Questions … Philippe Richert, minister for local government.

Funding for communities been secured for 2012?

Yes. Private banks are committed to providing just under 11 billion in loans. The new public bank, Dexia replacing, should provide 2 billion from the summer. To the join, the government asked the Caisse des Depots (CDC) to release $ 5 billion. An initial budget of 2 billion will be available until late March. In total, the account will be there.

But the CDC can not put out the fires forever

.

From 2013, we no longer need to resort to the CDC. Indeed, the public bank will rise in power. I think she may grant 4 billion of loans in 2013.

The funding agency will she need?

Local elected officials want to create an agency that would borrow on their behalf in the bond markets. In principle, this is a good idea. But the establishment of this agency, as it is now conceived, is problematic. This type of structure exists in Northern Europe. But in these countries, communities have more resources and are much less numerous, there is not 36,000 municipalities. The situation is not comparable. In the immediate future, it is better to focus on the new public bank.

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For Pierre Chappaz, running a business is like managing a football team. "The coach sets the overall strategy, recruiting players, helping them to play as a team, while respecting their strong personalities," says the entrepreneur known for having co-founded Kelkoo. This is why Wikio, the company he founded in 2006 and renamed Ebuzzing meanwhile, made nine mergers and acquisitions since its inception.

Combines the latest in Ebuzzing BeeAd, the advertising agency specializing in online video, created by the founders of the music download site Beezik. When he met them, Pierre Chappaz was "immediately said, if these players could join our team, we would be able to win the European Cup," he writes on his blog.

Ebuzzing now specializes in communication on social networks – an analysis of conversations in the diffusion of video advertising – fabric and its offer of a new advertising format. BeeAd indeed offers users to watch a video ad to access media content. This model was initially tested on the platform Beezik, which allows downloading music for free provided you have clicked on a video advertising. "This will provide a complete solution of video and social networks to advertisers," said Bertrand Quesada, CEO and cofounder of Ebuzzing.

40 million

"We were approached by many groups for a takeover, but we wanted to keep moving. We had enough cash in reserve and good technological edge, said Jean Canzoneri, CEO and cofounder of BeeAd. Building on Ebuzzing, we opted for speed. "BeeAd will indeed be launched internationally through the network group Ebuzzing. Mid-April, the offer should be marketed in Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK.

To satisfy both parties, the transaction – the amount has not been revealed – based "largely on a share exchange," says Bertrand Quesada. BeeAd leaders become "shareholders and associates" of Ebuzzing. The system should generate 40 million euros in turnover in 2012 and doubled in a year. And that, not including revenue could be generated internationally by BeeAd. This expansion will be accompanied by 30 to 50 recruits. They will add to the 200 people working at Ebuzzing and 40 employees Beezik.

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The tension is still up a notch on the site ArcelorMittal Florange in Moselle. About 300 steelworkers blocked since Thursday morning the release of shipments of the site for the restart of two blast furnaces, at a standstill for several months. At a central works council (CEC), management has confirmed the arrest of these furnaces in the second quarter. She said it was a "temporary suspension" and that the situation for the third quarter would be considered "in the month of May." The group, which invokes a slowdown in demand, provides a target restart facilities "as soon as market conditions permit".

Far from being reassured, the unions are convinced that management has signed the "death warrant" of Lorraine site, with imports of Russian steel to fuel its business outside furnaces.

"The management was committed to restarting our blast furnaces if Dunkirk was unable to feed, here, in steel," the mill hot strip mill, which produces steel for automotive technology, said Edward Martin , responsible CFDT. "And now she announces in CEC purchase of 60,000 tons of metal" to a "competitor" Russian laments there. Broccoli for Walter, FO, this purchase "constitutes an admission that Florange not restart."

According to management, 500 employees of ArcelorMittal are affected by the shutdown of blast furnaces, the other 2300 employees working on site production tools downstream. "We try to find a solution for each employee" affected, said Hervé Bourrier, CEO for France.

It was one of the key ideas of the socialist program, before Francis Holland revise downwards its ambitions: the merger of the Income Tax (IR) and the CSG. Now the PS candidate speaks only of reconciliation by the end of its protection mandate. In 2010, the UMP had also considered the option of a merger-IR CSG, before abandoning it.

A government report, prepared by the Department of Budget aimed at parliamentarians, rather gives reason to oppose this tax big bang. For this report, as Le Figaro has obtained, says the administration will not be able to say, before the implementation of the reform, which categories of French will be the winners and which classes will lose. And even if she knows the parameters of the operation. The fusion of IR and CSG would be a leap into the unknown. A leap of faith with immense fiscal challenges: the CSG reported 86 billion in 2011 and IR 48.9 billion.

A complex system

It is the complexity of the current system is causing these problems. The IR and the CSG are two very different taxes. The CSG is proportional. Wages, regardless of their levels, are always punctured by 7.5%. The IR is progressive: the tax rate varies according to income. Income between 5,963 and 11,896 euros per year are taxed at 5.5%, those between 11,896 and 26,420 euros to 14%, etc.. And, unlike the CSG, the IR has many niches. Finally, the IR takes into account the composition of the family through the family quotient, that is not the CSG.

Reconcile the two systems implies change settings so numerous that it becomes impossible to measure the combined effects. There is no way, says Bercy, to be certain that the objective (make taxation more "just" socially, with fewer niches and a progressive scale, as desired by the Socialists) is reached.

No flat tax

The report further finds that certain categories, such as pensioners, could lose to a fusion of IR and the CSG. Their two advantages (a CSG lower, a 10% reduction on the IR) could be questioned.

However, the new tax could not, whatever happens, be modeled on some flat tax adopted in Eastern Europe. The flat taxne not take into account the family situation, is proportional and is taken directly from the payroll. But the report stresses that the new French tax must meet three criteria, under penalty of being declared unconstitutional: consider the family situation, be progressive (not proportional) and tax all income. However nothing prevents the imposition of a levy directly on the payroll in France. But again, tipping is technically complex … Merge the IR and the CSG to create a new tax is a long, complicated, and uncertain results.

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Thunder on Corsica. The Administrative Court of Appeal overturned Monday in Marseilles the public service delegation (PSD) of maritime transport between the island and the mainland, a delegation intended to ensure territorial continuity and with a coquettish grant.

Upon assignment to the SNCM and CMN service contract for the period 2007-2013, Corsica Ferries had attacked him. Peter Mattei, the director general of the company, so savor his victory: "It shows that we were in our right and that has suffered!"

The leader has always considered abnormal grant of 33 million euros allocated by the Transportation Agency Corsican (OTC) for the SNCM ferry for peak periods, in addition to the 66 million allocated for the basic service (cargo passengers and freight throughout the year) to SNCM and CMN.The Court found that there was violation of the European regulation on maritime cabotage.

The "safeguard clause" included in the delegation contract is also in the sights of the Court. This clause makes it possible for companies to benefit from a delegated additional grant anticipated revenue when the contract is not to go. This supplement is considered state aid and tens of millions of euros may have to be repaid.

"An overhaul of the system"

A new bid must be launched for a new contract operational on 1 September 2012. "It will be very difficult to meet this deadline," Paul said yesterday Mary Bartoli, president of the CTA.

The fall was accelerated by Dexia irregularities. A document written by the supervisory authority in 2010 reported several violations of the Franco-Belgian bank, reported Liberation.

The body responsible for regulating the banking sector would have directly challenged the previous management but also the leaders still in office. The report was quoted as saying, "number of findings concerning mechanisms for managing derivative positions are likely to contravene the regulations." Regulators cite "in 2007 and until 2008, the disclosure of Dexia Credit Local has remained evasive about the increasing risks, including the CEO and directors were aware. She ignored the violations of regulations and monitoring liquidity risk. "And the report says "the information to the public was not accurate, precise and sincere."

These omissions or falsehoods for the purchase of a portfolio of bonds and speculative securities amounting to 100 billion euros, an "illogical financing local government, the report quoted by Liberation payday advance lenders. Regulators also suggest a failure on the part of the Dexia value of this portfolio of assets, both at the time of purchase as to resale. Worse, the leadership in place deliberately magnified the value of assets. The "overvaluation is estimated at at least 2 billion euros." Auditors such as Deloitte and Mazars have closed their eyes, the report said.

Loans to shareholders to purchase securities

The management team in place is also not spared.In a letter dated September 4, 2009, the report stresses that "the director of the institution has provided an underestimation of the volume of transactions."

Meanwhile, the Financial Timesaffirme that Dexia has paid 1.5 billion euros in its first two institutional shareholders before 2008 so that they carry out acquisitions of securities of the Franco-Belgian bank. But Dexia would, at the time, not breaking the law then in effect. The question is whether the court will examine the case Dexia.

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