Sep 22 2011

The new life of Christine Lagarde in Washington

Tag: economy, finance, online, people, technologyadmin @ 4:04 am

Christine Lagarde has not found his dream home in Washington. Arrive early July to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF), she still lives temporarily in a furnished apartment, close to his office. "Initially, I looked pretty houses in the neighborhood of Georgetown, but I realized it would be impractical and it was better to look for an apartment. Now I prospect in areas not too far from my office, "said Le Figaro the new executive director of the monetary institution. "I have a pool, but not just to bathe. A pool where we could really swim … I have not taken a subscription to a sports club, but in my building there is a proper gym, "says the former champion synchronized swimming enthusiast – disciplined – physical exercise daily.

Since joining the IMF, it has worked and has not been able to enjoy a city that is much changed since she lived there in 1974, when she spent a year at a time of joy and studious the benches of the Holton-Arms School, a school for girls located in the posh western suburb. "In my new life in Washington, the work never stops. But the restaurants are ten times better than what I experienced, "It has already his favorites:" the canteen of the IMF and the Blue Duck Tavern at the Hyatt. " However, between briefings, seminars with the teams of the Fund that it must learn about his travels to London to Marseille for the G7 and Jackson Hole (Wyoming) for a symposium of central bankers to prepare his speeches and conversations with senior business leaders from every continent, Christine Lagarde has had little time to breathe.Those close to him are even already looking a little tired …

She will not rest this week as the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank are converging towards his office finance ministers and heads of central banks in 187 countries. For several days she prepares for the event. Moments of summer vacation between Marseille and Corsica with her partner, Xavier Giocanti may have seemed far away. To complicate matters, the latter, who founded his company in France, will not live with her in Washington. "He loves the U.S. capital. But his work is in the south of France. He promised to arrange to come one week per month. I also want it with me in some missions abroad, "says the former French Minister.This rate, "is it better than their last weekend aborted by meetings at the Elysee on Sunday afternoon?" Asks one close to the couple.

Critical time

Christine Lagarde did not wait two and half months to start to make its mark and recommend solutions to the crisis. In late August, on the occasion of his first major intervention in Jackson Hole, she took against the established European friends who have yet worked to his appointment in June She has dared to advocate for a rapid strengthening of bank capital of the Old Continent, as required by public money. Taking up the old refrain of the IMF, the former "good soldier" of Nicolas Sarkozy marked its independence vis-à-vis his former boss.Showing how far is now the time in his office in Bercy, when not agree with a decision of the Élysée, she smiled, gritted his teeth and let go … "is the head of State decides "*.

This position, criticized by many European officials, but in line with IMF recommendations for months, proved that the new patron of the institution was not, as some suspect, "the elegant performing" chosen by old European countries in crisis to justify their monopoly once more become anachronistic in the direction of the IMF. Even the laudatory article in the American edition of Vogue magazine in September of Christine Lagarde said that his French elegance accompanied by substance, "Lagarde is as natural, open and very feminine.His way of being simple, clear it rose through the ranks through his work seriously, not because of its ability to attract, "says the prestigious fashion publication. This is the first time a director of the IMF in Vogue poses cross-legged on a couch. Some saw a dim, fast debt crisis in Europe. But now that clears a little sordid chronicle by the New York tabloids and sexual exploits of his predecessor.

In his office on the 12th floor of the concrete block that is the IMF headquarters, Christine Lagarde strives to maintain at all times smile and kindness that are his trademark. However, she also knows that this is not that quality be the judge.Some leading experts in the world of high finance, as Simon Johnson and Raghuram Rajan, former chief economist of the IMF expressed concern that "non-economist" is selected for this feature to a critical time. It can be a handicap in an institution with more than doctors in economics per square meter than any other. Eager to rectify this perception, she was quick to declare taking office in early July: "I'm not going to brag about my qualifications or my lack of qualifications. The proof of the quality of the pudding is measured by how it is enjoyed by those who eat it, as the saying goes. I come with an open mind, with my ability to manage, leverage resources and my desire to help as many people as possible to the decisions and solutions … I will ask many questions.I will evaluate and I'll rely on the advice of those who know their sector. Without wishing to poets, all conductors can not play the piano, harp, violin and cello. I will try to be a good conductor. "To Christine Lagarde, the concert starts this week.

As shown in the tone of his speech a few days before the Royal Institute for International Affairs in London, Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington or on the financial news channel CNBC, the CEO wants to politely shake the leaders of the world, push for action to prevent a relapse into recession generally. Barack Obama, which she first received a phone call late August, requires only that.His plan to revive the use is consistent with IMF recommendations: do not cut right away in public spending.

His recent media offensive, the contrast between the start humiliating DSK, which has placed the IMF on the front page of American newspapers, not to mention the seriousness of the economic situation, are all eyes are on her. Not just those of "Planet Finance." "I am no longer anonymous to Washington. Many people recognize me on the streets and shops. The youngest often ask me to pose with them for a photo. And taxi drivers spotted me right away, "says she honestly.

It is too early to say whether it will be "Keynesian" or "monetarist". But in style, some have noted its refreshing approach in the austere environment of the IMF."I do not know if his style is a little sixteenth arrondissement, or if it is his sincere desire to be considerate towards its employees, but it is very human … I saw her invited to eat at his table his bodyguards after long hours of work, "says one observer. I must say that – status of the Fund requires – one of his bodyguards Bercy could follow. Not even his faithful collaborator for eighteen years, Sonia, who had started with her at Baker & McKenzie and on which it could rely at all times. Being a "woman power" always has a price …

* In "Christine Lagarde: investigation of the most powerful woman in the world," Cyril and Mary LACHEVRE Visot (Editions Michel Lafon).

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Sep 10 2011

Banks are again back on the Paris Bourse

Tag: economics, international, money, special, technologyadmin @ 8:32 am

After two sessions of gains, the Paris Bourse off again into negative territory on Friday and gives up 1.69% to 3033.78 points to 11:50. London and Frankfurt follow with respective losses of 0.73% and 1.25%.

The banking sector raises again the concerns of investors. They accentuate its losses from the statements of Christine Lagarde whereby a liquidity crisis could not be ruled out and that some banks needed additional capital. "This is the effect Lagarde. These statements primarily affect banks that are considered the least well placed in terms of capital ratios, "said one trader.

Result: Societe Generale falling again to 6.43% to 18.25 euros and signed the largest decrease in the CAC.Behind her, Crédit Agricole loose 5.05% to 5.62 euros, Natixis 4.57% to 2.48 euros, BNP Paribas 4.28% to 30.85 euros and 3.96% at Axa 9.76 euros.

Obama's plan is not reassuring

Investors also unenthusiastic welcome details of the plan for employment unveiled by U.S. President Barack Obama in the night. He introduced a bill on the release of 447 billion dollars for the Americans out of unemployment. "This plan will give an electric shock to an economy that has stalled, will give confidence to businesses on the fact that if they invest and hire, there will be customers for their products and services," assured the U.S. president to members of Congress .

As in Asia this morning, traders seem to doubt the implementation of this plan. Its funding is already generating questions from Republican opponents could block a vote.Barack Obama urged them to adopt "immediately". The U.S. president also announced that it will issue on September 19 "a deficit reduction plan more ambitious."

As Wall Street yesterday, investors have also not appreciated the remarks of the President of the Federal Reserve on growth and jobs last night. The Fed "will do everything it can to participate in the return of growth and employment rates," said its chairman Ben Bernanke, minimizing inflation fears. This speech, however, feeds the assumption of a new effort of quantitative easing, which could be announced at the next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed, scheduled for September 20 and 21.

Inflation slows in China

Still on macroeconomic, Japan has this morning reported a decline of 2.1% of GDP in the second quarter 2011 annualized.This is more than the 1.3% decline initially estimated. The main factor weighing on GDP has been the decline in exports (-4.9% from January to March).

In China, rising consumer prices, the main barometer of inflation, which had accelerated in recent months, slowed slightly to 6 no checking account payday advance.2% in August. Industrial production is she up 13.5% in August.

In France, industrial production rebounded 1.5% in July after a decline of similar magnitude in June, show statistics released Friday by INSEE. The budget deficit of the French government fell in late July to 86.6 billion euros, against 93.1 billion euros a year earlier, thanks to lower costs, said Friday the Department of Budget .

On the agenda are also on Friday, stocks of wholesalers in the United States.

As for currencies, the euro has stabilized under $ 1.40, to 1.3896 dollar.Oil rises on the other hand, supported by a surprise drop in U.S. inventories. In early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 23 cents to 89.28 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 21 cents to 114.76 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

• TF1 (-4.3%), M6 (-2.25%) Bolloré (0.8%), Vivendi (-1.1%); NextRadioTV (-1.4%)

Chains react in a disorganized to take control of Direct 8 Direct and Star, two DTT channels free of the Bolloré Group, Canal +. The subsidiary of Vivendi will have three DTT frequencies. Be as much as TF1 and M6 more than the group which, in addition to the namesake chain, has only W9.For this operation, fully financed by shares, a stake Bolloré group Vivendi.

• Total (0.9%) signed the largest increase

The Anglo-Dutch oil group Shell said Friday that oil was discovered off the coast of French Guiana, during exploratory drilling at about 150 km off the coast.

• Sopra (1.81%)

The group announced the takeover of Delta, specialized in banking software.The transaction is expected to close in early October 2011, will be financed from existing credit lines of business consulting, IT services and software.

• Pierre & Vacances (-0.33%)

The group, which operates much of the accommodation ski resorts, opened 369 new tourist residences furnished this winter.

• ArcelorMittal (-1.7%)

The group will close as of October 3 for an indefinite period and the second blast furnace at its site in Florange (Moselle), according to a union source quoted by AFP.

• EADS (+0.8%) on the second step of the podium

The group said on Thursday not want to use all of its $ 16 billion (11.45 billion euros) in cash for acquisitions.

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Aug 27 2011

Essilor is launching a new category of lenses, fog

Tag: economy, international, life, money, peopleadmin @ 8:24 am

Essilor International is innovative. According to the global glasses, "75% of wearers expect an anti-fog solution." To meet this demand, the group decided to create anti-fog lenses under the name of Optifog. This new "represents a disruptive technology," with a "layer with hydrophilic properties," said Essilor. With this new product, which is "all continents", Essilor International is "1.2 billion consumers worldwide."

Results aside, the mood is set fair. The group recorded the first half revenues up 6.9% to 2.06 billion euros and net profit up 30.7% to 258.2 million euros. Adjusted net income per share was 1.25 euro, up 9.3%.

Essilor attributed these results to the "increase in volumes related to the expansion strategy in high growth markets, the rapid development of the supply in the mid-range" and the "growth of industrial investment."

Context "increasingly uncertain"

These performances allow the group to maintain its growth objectives in sales "between 6% and 8%" (excluding currency and acquisitions, strategic) for this year, despite "an economic environment more uncertain." Essilor also wants to maintain the high level of profitability, excluding strategic acquisitions.

The specialist in ophthalmic optics says it "will continue to rely on innovation, operational efficiency and financial capacity to consolidate its position in the high end."The group also intends to "continue its conquest in the mid-range and benefit from the rapid expansion of high-growth countries."

At the Paris Bourse, this news is greeted coldly. In early trade, the title Essilor loses 0.11% to 53.07 euros in a market down 0.05%.

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Aug 11 2011

The Paris Bourse opened sharply higher

Tag: economy, finance, publications, resources, top newsadmin @ 5:56 pm

After the storm that plunged all the stock exchanges, the European shares rebound on Thursday. In Paris the CAC 40 index opened up 2.96% to 3092.16 points. Same trend in Frankfurt the Dax rose 2.81% to 5771.21 points and in London the FTSE 100 opened up over 2% to 5118.29 points. Appeasement was already felt in the Asian stock markets that are returned to the green or showed moderate declines.

Wednesday, the markets were shaken by rumors of a deterioration in the rating of France, immediately denied by the rating agencies and the French government, and concerns about the health of the bank Societe Generale. And the CAC 40 plunged 5.45%, narrowly escaping the psychological threshold of 3000 points to 3002.99 points. Other European markets have suffered the same drop Frankfurt dropped 5.13%, 3.05% London.Madrid and Milan 5.49% 6.65%. In New York, the Dow fell 4.62% and 4.09% for the Nasdaq.

Bank stocks monitored

Gold continues, meanwhile, fly from record to record. The precious metal has crossed the threshold of 1800 dollars. It is this Thursday morning in 1790 dollars, after hitting a new record of 1815.50 dollars. However, oil resumed its decline in Asia. Yet he had resisted the panic the day before with the announcement of a dramatic and unexpected decline in crude inventories in the United States. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 79 cents to 82.10 dollars and that of Brent North Sea fell by 1.10 dollars to 105.58 dollars.

Among the values ​​to be followed, the bank that have been heavily tested yesterday. The Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the stock market regulator, announced that it will monitor developments in the securities sector.Trading in Societe Generale jumped nearly 9% to 24.16 euros after being suspended briefly at the opening. The title was unscrewed from 14.74% on Wednesday. The bank asked the AMF to investigate the origin of the rumors that have depressed its course Same day payday loans. The CEO of the bank, Frédéric Oudéa, denounced, in an interview with Le Figaro, "the series of attacks" against the French banking sector "sounds completely fantastic, I struggle with the utmost force, it is taken at Societe Generale, "he lamented. "We have no fear on our lending: we achieved 93% of our long-term funding program year, he added.Short-term side, we have 105 billion euros of underlying assets with central banks and keep full access to the interbank market. "

BNP Paribas (2.98% to 36.67 euros) and Credit Agricole (5.68% to 6.418 euros) rebounded Wednesday after falling by 9.5% and 11.8%.

In addition, EADS (1.66% to 20.24 euros), the parent company of Airbus, said Wednesday it will not achieve its objectives in the United States in 2020 without new acquisitions.

Title Alcatel-Lucent (2.11% to 2.324 euros) is expected to rise following the release of quarterly results from Cisco Systems, above the consensus of Wall Street.

L'Oreal (2.29% to 1.73 euros) should benefit from the decision by Goldman Sachs, which added its list of preferred European stocks to buy ("pan-Europe conviction buy list").

Saint-Gobain (1.11% to 31.775 euros) has announced the acquisition of Solar Gard, a subsidiary of Belgian group dedicated to Bekaert Specialty Films, as part of its strategy to accelerate its growth through acquisitions.

Maurel & Prom rose 4.22% to 12.35 euros after opening up over 8%. The oil company reported a surge of 123% of its revenue thanks to increased revenues in Gabon and Nigeria.

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Jul 21 2011

The Paris Bourse is expected to remain up

Tag: money, opinions, people, technology, top newsadmin @ 6:16 am

The 3700 points in the viewfinder will be investors in the Paris Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Yesterday, the Paris has managed to recover, ending on a rise of 1.21% to 3694 points. Operators should be encouraged by the good performance of U.S. markets, driven by advances in parliamentary negotiations in the United States for raising the ceiling on the debt. President Barack Obama for the first time reported "progress" in this debate, adding that the new Senate plan, presented Tuesday, was "consistent" in its approach. The Chairman stressed however that "not much time" before the deadline of August 2 to avoid a default. Wall Street was also good indicators for rasurée and industrial results better than expected.Asian markets were also sending positive signals this morning.

Time, however, should still be prudent on the eve of a crucial European summit for the future of the euro area. The heads of state are to meet Thursday in Brussels to discuss the bailout of Greece. Several proposals for involving the private sector are on the table.

In addition to this news, investors will learn in sales of existing homes and oil stocks in the United States. On the currency side, the euro is still down slightly against the greenback at 1.4139 dollar.Oil is, him up: a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in August takes 80 cents to 98.30 dollars and that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery gained 69 cents to 117.75 dollars .

Values ​​to follow

Havas

The advertising group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Australian Host, the first independent agency of the country, for an undisclosed sum.

Saffron

Tuesday the group received the green light from Washington for the purchase of American specialist of biometrics L-1 Identity Solutions. The agreement was announced last September for $ 1.1 billion in cash.

Laurent-Perrier

The group announced Wednesday an increase of 11.5% of its turnover in the first quarter thanks to a mix effect prices soaring and exports still strong.

Accor

The group was optimistic Tuesday in announcing an acceleration of organic growth in the second quarter due to increased occupancy rates and the gradual recovery of prices.

ADP

The group announced a 4.6% increase in passenger traffic at its airports in June, driven by growth across all trajectories with the exception of Africa and the Middle East.

PPR

Fnac, a subsidiary of luxury group, unveiled Tuesday a five-year strategic plan, called "Fnac 2015", which should enable it to boost sales after a disappointing performance.

EADS

Boeing, seeking to rescue a potentially very large contract with American Airlines, has offered to install a new engine on the current 737, while the airline is still considering a generous offer to Airbus. Moreover, the French military shipbuilder DCNS said Wednesday negotiate with the German Atlas Electronik the creation of a joint venture between their respective activities of underwater weapons, confirming a report in Les Echos. Atlas Elektronik is owned by EADS and ThyssenKrupp.

Biomerieux

The group announced the acquisition of French company Argene Molecular Biology and confirmed the objective of growth of its business year after an increase of 3.5% of its turnover in the first half of 2011.

Sanofi-Aventis

The Canadian Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced yesterday the signing of an agreement to buy the French laboratory marketing rights and distribution in Canada of a cream against osteoarthritis.

Manitou

The group raised its forecast Tuesday for 2011 after signing up 45% of its turnover in the first half despite the continuing difficulties of supply.

Always on the side of publications, sales of the first quarter of Alstom and the second quarter of Medica are expected before the market opens.After market, Unibail will present its second quarter results and Ubisoft will announce its earnings for the first quarter 2011-2012.


Jul 10 2011

U.S. debt: elected officials struggle to find an agreement

Tag: business, economy, opinions, people, resourcesadmin @ 5:04 pm

The U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has sought reassurance on Sunday, while negotiations stretch again about raising the ceiling of U.S. debt: "The U.S. will not default, he repeated . There is no way to give more time in Congress. Leaders of major parties understand this. "

The aim of these negotiations is twofold: first to raise the ceiling of U.S. debt authorized, currently set at 14,300 billion and achieved since mid-May Without agreement on this point, the Treasury warned that the United States would find themselves in default of payment on 2 August. A scenario unique to cause global bond market crash.In an interview Sunday at the program "This Week", the new general director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, has also warned the U.S. against the "truly deplorable consequences" of such a scenario for country and the world.

Elected officials must also agree on a comprehensive plan of savings, without which Democrats as Republicans admit that the U.S. debt would be difficult to sustain over time. An aging population should lead to higher mechanical effect of public debt, charged in the future by heavier spending on health and higher costs related to the pension system. However, the U.S. national debt has already reached the summits, looked with suspicion by the rating agencies.

Budget cuts

But elected officials have reviewed this weekend to lower their ambitions.The Republican chairman of the House of Representatives of the United States, John Boehner, said Saturday that he would not agree on the broad deficit-reduction plan advocated by Barack Obama. Instead of four trillion dollars in savings over ten years requested by the President of the United States and considered necessary by the rating agencies, is now on a more narrow the range of 2000-3000000000000 dollars, to be negotiated between the elected officials, said John Boehner guaranteed pay day loans.

"Despite good faith efforts to find a common base, the White House will not consent to a broader agreement on reducing the debt without raising taxes. So I think that the best approach might be to focus on a smaller, "said the Republican.

Electoral concerns

After days of deadlock, negotiations had yet appeared to unravel Thursday, after Obama met with leaders of both major parties in Congress. In granting budget cuts for health and social security, so far regarded as untouchable by the Democrats, Barack Obama has paved the way for an agreement that he would like "historic".

In return, the president was calling for concessions from the Republicans on the taxation of the rich. "We can not ask the middle class and senior citizens to bear alone the brunt of budget cuts, held Saturday, spokesman for the White House. Are also the richest pay their fair share, and we believe that Americans agree on this point. "

For their part, Republicans are reluctant to vote for one trillion tax increases that Barack Obama is calling for. In general, Republicans as Democrats are concerned that measures spending cuts or tax increases adopted in the savings plan does not cost them the next election.

Barack Obama would meet again in the early evening the leaders of the House of Representatives, where Republicans are the majority, and Senate. The White House said in the wake of the announcement of John Boehner she still hoped to get him back on his positions.

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Jul 05 2011

The Olympics on TV until 2020 France

Tag: Uncategorized, business, events, international, top newsadmin @ 11:40 am

The France Televisions group announced the acquisition of the rights of future Olympic Games. The amount of these contracts is estimated at between 40 and 50 million per event. Added to the cost of production estimated at ten million euros for each Olympic Games.

LE FIGARO. – You will be broadcasters of the Games until 2020. What is the nature of this contract?

Remy PFLIMLIN. – We confortons our rights to the Olympics because we buy in total exclusivity until 2020, both for those Winter Games and Summer. In addition, we ensured that these rights were all media and therefore usable regardless of the distribution methods and terminals. We proclaim Wednesday as we know what city will host the 2018 Winter Olympics.It is also a way to show our solidarity with the application of Annecy.

How much have you paid to secure those rights for eight years?

These amounts are very similar to what we paid previously. In other words, there was no bidding. Furthermore, it is important to remember that in a market increasingly competitive, it is essential to securing sports rights for the long term. Unlike the time when the rights were sold territory by territory only to local operators, we are faced with an internationalization of competition, as evidenced by the arrival in France of great actors like al-Jazeera. Nothing would prevent them from acquiring the rights to resell on their own terms. Ditto for Internet players.It is important to "store" the events that constitute the cornerstone of our programming.

Was it necessary to acquire these rights in all media exclusively?

The London Olympics of 2012, we will publish an exclusive program with the exception of pan-European Eurosport will be a good test. We may be measured including the economic impact of such diffusion. This also reflects the need, in a broader landscape, to differentiate ourselves from other channels. Sport, as evidenced by the purchase of rights "minor" by small TNT channels, allows the aggregation of audiences. Finally, the fact of having these events on digital is the best way to preserve the future personal loans for people with bad credit. Beyond that we will schedule on the air, we can have up to 12 simultaneous streams live on our digital offerings.This will allow us to expand our audience but also to return, why not the youngest to the TV screen.

What is the advantage to bet on these events?

The Olympics are both a major event and part of our DNA. It is the mission of public service to provide free access to numerous sports that are not prevalent, but large. We aim to bring to life the events giving them an attraction that no one else is that we may be able to provide. We did it last year with the European Championships in athletics and swimming, we redo this year's World Championships in both disciplines. Our goal is not limited to the retransmission of events, it is also to make people want to practice a discipline. This is true of sport as culture.This is a key element of our relationship of trust must maintain channels with viewers as well as information.

In this regard, you inspire the return of the hostages on a background of controversy over the excessive risks they have taken?

First of all, I think the joy inspired by their return premium on everything! This is a major event in this house who lived in the constant concern for the fate of Taponnier and Stéphane Hervé Ghesquière. It is our public service mission to be present on all important events and reporting. Unfortunately this is not the first time that France Televisions is faced with the kidnapping of journalists. Remember the hostages in Lebanon and those of Jollo. I realize that this job involves risks that must be evaluated. Especially since, if it becomes impossible to report the news, there is no point in taking them.We will do everything to make this not happen again, but we will keep this role of ours: being a publisher of reference, be a kind of watch the world around us by being present on all distribution media.

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Jun 20 2011

Greece: a referendum on the rigor

Tag: economic, events, finance, online, technologyadmin @ 2:32 am

The Greek government will appeal to the people. Prime Minister George Papandreou said in Parliament on Sunday "in the fall, we will go to a referendum on the main reforms in this country." The Socialist attempts to obtain the agreement of members on the composition of his new government and its austerity plan over five years of 28 billion euros needed for a new international aid.

These reforms are challenged in the street and into the ranks of the narrow government majority (155 seats out of 300). This is to appease the critics that Papandreou had to reshuffle his team Friday, so it presents to Parliament on Sunday. "I applied for a renewal of confidence in the government because the country is at a crucial point," he said.We need to find "a national agreement to deal with deficits and debt are a Greek national problem," he added. The vote of confidence will take place Tuesday night.

The Prime Minister is attempting to rally right-wing opposition to his austerity plan. The latter, who had hidden some of the deficits of the country before the crisis in 2009, refuses to give carte blanche. Its leader, Antonis Samaras, reiterated that his party "did not give a vote of confidence in the government as socialist Papandreou insists on a policy that does not solve problems but makes them worse."

Division concerned

European leaders are concerned about this division. Merkel supported George Papandreou Friday: "He is fighting for Greece meets its commitments, we support it.(…) It is hoped that the opposition supports the Greek government. "

Finance ministers of the euro zone meet in Eurogroup on Sunday night and Monday special meeting. They must agree on the payment of the new tranche of aid provided under the 110 billion euros of loans in spring 2010 in Greece. A budget that would allow the country to spend the summer. In addition, Europeans must also agree on a new aid plan, the sum is not yet defined. The negotiations come up against particularly on the modalities of participation of banks in the effort.

Do not expect an agreement by Monday morning, however, said the rpésident of the Eurogroup, the Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker. The European Commission had yet spoken this week of an agreement expected by Sunday evening.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said Friday on their side need to "act quickly" on the Greek case. "We'll talk tonight about the involvement of private creditors, the question is how far it can and must go," said Jean-Claude Juncker.

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May 26 2011

The G8 summit to support Arab Spring

Tag: economics, features, news, people, publicationsadmin @ 3:48 pm

This is a new landing that will face the Normandy coast on Wednesday and Thursday. Eighteen heads of state and government and 2,500 delegates are expected to Deauville for the summit of leading industrialized nations, G8, chaired this year by France. The event will be under the supervision of 12,000 policemen. The advent of Barack Obama mobilizes alone 700. "Club", founded in 1975, the G8 gathering for informal discussions leaders theory share the same concerns. But this year, dominated by assistance to countries in the "Arab spring", is also expected to friction, especially between the West and Russia. The succession of DSK to head the IMF should be discussed behind the scenes.

• Support to Arab revolutions

"Deauville is not a donor conference," repeats the French presidency of the G8.The big meeting Norman which will blow a wind from North Africa and the Middle East, will nevertheless announced immediate steps to help Tunisia and Egypt. Both countries have costed their financing needs, respectively, $ 25 billion over five years and a dozen billion through mid-2012. Barack Obama has already unveiled last week a plan with several billion dollars to encourage democratization. The World Bank could disburse up to 6 billion if the reforms continue. Active in the East after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be redeployed to the southern shores of the Mediterranean. Tomorrow, a long-term partnership will be officially launched between the G8, Tunisia and Egypt, attended by prime ministers of both countries.Russia warned Tuesday the G8, saying that it "must not become an organ of pressure and sanctions." An allusion to the situation in Syria, which appear on the menu of Deauville. Westerners want to ask Moscow to withdraw its threat to veto the adoption of a text by the Security Council condemning the crackdown.

• Intervention in Libya

Intensive launched raids in recent days by NATO to Moscow Tripoli were out of joint. For the Kremlin, these bombings are a "new gap coarse compared with United Nations resolutions" legitimizing military intervention to protect populations bad credit payday advance. The war, which was to be short, and extends the growing dissension within the international community. Paris and London are still at peak. Still in withdrawal, the United States objects to requests that the operation works without them.To evoke the tracks of a crisis, the G8 will turn once again to Africa, including three Heads of State (Niger, Guinea, Ivory Coast) will be present in Deauville. For the first time, the G8 will conclude with a statement co-signed with the Africans.

• Middle East

In Deauville, the UN General Assembly in September, is already emerging. The Palestinians consider to be recognized in New York the creation of their state. Nicolas Sarkozy also raised the prospect, if the process does not move by then, but Barack Obama, just press this point Binyamin Netanyahu, who is visiting these days in Washington, is cons. Americans, Europeans and Russians will compare their approach to the release process. Nicolas Sarkozy will serve as a stimulus by recalling his slogans: "the status quo is not sustainable" and "the parameters of a settlement are known."However, the Quartet (EU, U.S., Russia, UN) has not scheduled a meeting on the sidelines of the summit and no breakthrough is to be expected.

• Nuclear safety

The disaster Fukushima "swept" what the G8 working group on nuclear safety preparing for months for Deauville, says a close case. This afternoon, a session will be devoted to this theme, after a lunch where the leaders will express their solidarity with Japan. The final declaration will encourage countries with power to conduct audits, as did the United States and as Europe is about to do. And she called the international community to provide "the highest security level" possible.The G8 will not enter into details and refer to the ministerial conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will bring together a larger number of nuclear nations in Vienna, June 20


May 20 2011

DSK, an economist at cons-stream

Tag: economics, life, money, online, peopleadmin @ 6:24 am

The brilliant career as an economist Dominique Strauss-Kahn has just experienced a sudden stop. Arrested in the United States for alleged attempted rape, he tendered his resignation as CEO of the International Monetary Fund, he held since 2007. Throughout his career, "Mr. Economy" of the left has always shown great independence from dogmas and pre-established lines of thought.

One of the first major breaks with Dominique Strauss-Kahn "left classic" based on his involvement in the privatization programs of companies. While he has served as economy minister in the Jospin government from 1997 to 1999, he oversaw the opening of capital committed long ago. In 1997, the capital of France Telecom has been successfully opened in the middle of Internet bubble, a second bet on the stock exchange then took place in 1998.Similarly, Air France, Highway south of France, Eramet, Gan, the ICC or NOC experienced partial or total privatization between 1997 and 1999. DSK is estimated that some public enterprises were no longer intended to remain in state ownership, after sixteen years of public guardianship, since the wave of nationalization in 1982.But critics within his own party, accusing it of responsibility for "mass privatization".

Concerning the implementation of the 35 hours from the year 2000 following two laws passed in 1998 and 2000, the Minister has never hidden his opposition to the method used, even if DSK was himself originally economic program of the PS in 1997 which provided for the establishment of 35 hours of youth employment.

A socialist may go against the current

More recently, open debate on pension reform of 2010 and while DSK is already at the head of the IMF, he said there was no "dogma" on maintaining the statutory retirement age to retirement at age 60, an opposition Socialist Party's position. Another difference with his own camp: the Tobin tax. The politician has in fact been opposed to this idea, though supported by economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Lawrence Summers.

And the man who embodies the social democrats to the SP has also marked its difference in the IMF. Arriving at the head of an institution that raised questions about her future, and many critics, he managed to restructure the institution and give it a key role in the international arena, which has attracted praise from worldwide payday loans direct lenders. "The IMF has clearly become the most important international institution today," says economist Colin Bradford.

For international regulation of capitalism

In January 2008, when the crisis was still described as mild by governments, he called the major economies of the world to implement recovery plans, breaking the tradition of the post.In April 2011, he has even declared the death of the "Washington Consensus, the set of liberal doctrines which had until his arrival at the head of the institution guided measures. In fact, the theory of "structural adjustment" and the conduct of restructuring brutal and fast, Dominique Strauss-Kahn called for the "protection of the most vulnerable and the fight against inequality. Thus, under its authority, the IMF has supported the bailouts of countries in the euro area face serious problems of public deficit. The institution argued that he directed the implementation of reforms in Greece, Ireland and Portugal, but sometimes at the risk of being unpopular, particularly in Greece, where DSK may have committed some blunders.

The man, who graduated from HEC in 1971, Sciences Po and a BA in Public Law in 1972, is especially active in Europe.One of the founding fathers of the euro has indeed worked hard to save monetary union, threatened to collapse at the height of the crisis of public debts. He campaigned for solidarity between governments. In fact, convinced of the relevance of supranational governance bodies, DSK has worked for the establishment of a European budget authority that would organize solidarity between European states over the long term. But the departure of DSK to head the IMF could mark a setback to the realization of his dream to a deepening of the European Union and a supranational regulation of international capitalism.

The legacy of DSK, however, should leave an indelible mark. Several members of the institution, he claimed recently that his record is "impeccable", the IMF is now rejuvenated, powerful, and new fears.

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