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"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. Presented at the first cabinet meeting on Thursday by the new prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, the measure was formally adopted, confirmed by several cabinet members. Accordingly, the president and ministers will have their wages fall by 30%. "This is exemplary," explained Jean-Marc Ayrault Wednesday on France 2. This measure will be a decree. But this law, which will not be adopted before June and the election of the National Assembly, "will be retroactive," said the spokesman of the government, Najat Belkacem-Vallaud. It is therefore effective "as of May 15" date of the nomination of Francis Holland as president.

The gross monthly salary of Ministers will therefore decrease of 14,200 euros per month, to 9,940 euros. That of the Prime Minister will also be trimmed from 21,300 euros to 14,910 euros gross. Like, finally, the compensation of the President of the Republic which is equivalent to the Prime Minister. 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.

In the camp of the UMP, the reactions to this first measure of government have not kept waiting. Jean-Francois Cope, the party's general secretary, described the pay cut of "deception" on Twitter.

I denounce the imposture, the clannishness and demagoguery are the appointment of the first steps of @ fhollande ump.org / news / esp

. – Jean-Francois Cope (@ jf_cope) May 17, 2012

It explains, in a statement, the government has Ayrault "14 members of more" than the first Fillon government. "We go from 15 ministers, four secretaries of state and a High Commissioner to 34 ministers and deputy ministers, an increase of 65%. Wage cuts of 30% can not hide this fact: the government of Francois Hollande will be far more costly to the taxpayer. "

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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Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

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For the second time since 2009, Spain fell into recession. The Spanish economy has indeed contracted 0.3% in first quarter 2012 compared to end 2011, according to preliminary official figures released Monday. It is however slightly better than expected: the Spanish Central Bank expected a 0.4% decline in activity over the period.

After degradation of the Spanish note by Standard & Poor's, the publication of a record unemployment rate in March and fears more acute in the health of banks, the bad news accumulates in Madrid.

In the first quarter of 2012, only exports and tourism have supported activity. But their strength was more than offset by the effects of the austerity plan introduced by the center-right government of Mariano Rajoy, of unprecedented severity. Moreover, the cleanup of a long over-indebted economy, household businesses through the state, beating down domestic consumption. The proposed increase in VAT, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, should accentuate this trend.

"The austerity trap"

So much so that the International Labor Organization (ILO), in its report published on Monday, sets up Spain as an example not to follow a policy solely focused on rigor. She stressed that "the deficit was reduced by just over 9% of GDP in 2010 to 8.5% of GDP in 2011: a very small reduction after a drastic austerity program." For 2012, the government had to moderate its deficit reduction target, it expects to either 4.4% but 5.3% of GDP, given the deteriorating situation. For the ILO, "the trap of austerity is being shut down."

The Spanish economy should continue to suffer, economists fear. "We expect an acceleration of the recession in the coming quarters, in parallel with the rise of austerity measures," said Evelyn Herrmann, economist at BNP Paribas. "Things should get worse before it gets better," says Martin van Vliet, of ING Bank.

Unemployment, already at a record level of 24.44%, should continue to climb. It should eventually reach more of an asset over four in Spain, provides the analyst consensus. Symbol of the Spanish slump, the construction industry, long time driver of the economy because of swelling of the housing bubble, should continue to lay off. It accounts for another 9% of employment, against 6% on average in the eurozone.  

Fears on banks

"The worsening situation on the labor market will have a particularly negative impact on banks," notes Ricardo Santos, an expert in Southern Europe at BNP Paribas. "The share of loans" non-performing "(that is to say, threatening never to be repaid, Ed) is expected to increase and represent 9% in late 2012." To which are added 176 billion euros inventory of buildings and land "problem", that is to say to the uncertain value, as counted from the Spanish Central Bank. Country's only hope in the short term, the "Marshall Plan" for growth in project and unveiled in Brussels on Saturday by the daily El Pais. According to him, he is expected to reach 200 billion euros, or 4% of GDP of the European Union. But Brussels has denied, insisting that these figures "had no basis."  

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Not a word has filtered out of the conversation between Nicolas Sarkozy and PSA boss Philippe Varin. For nearly an hour, the two men met at the Elysee about the factory in Aulnay-sous-Bois in Seine Saint-Denis. The future of this plant, which employs over 3,300 people, would be threatened, unions fear. The presidency as the automotive group has declined to comment on leaving the meeting.

Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to convince Philippe Varin to organize a roundtable discussion with unions and industry minister, Eric Besson, "next week" to discuss the future of the site. A request of the unions, the president-candidate met Thursday at his campaign headquarters.

"All done" to save the plant

Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday, on the antenna of i-TV: he will "do anything to save this plant." For him, it must "ease the burden on the wages of employees and the contributions of the company." He recalled that the business tax that has weighed deleted "250 euro per car manufactured in France." "It's fine to say that the cars must be manufactured in France, but if you put on in France making more taxes than elsewhere, there is a relocation," he concluded.

The unions said they were somewhat reassured after their head to head with Nicolas Sarkozy business cards design. "The words we hear a lot, but the words fly away, we want it written guarantees, said Jean-Pierre Mercier, the CGT. We play our skin. "And not just employees of PSA 9000 with direct and indirect jobs, PSA Aulnay is one of the largest employers in Seine-Saint-Denis, according to the General Council.

The record of the Aulnay plant is back on center stage last weekend. The unions had then expressed their disappointment after a meeting between employee representatives and management organized by the prefect of Seine Saint-Denis. But the concern of unions as of June 2011 and the disclosure of internal working documents of the automaker speculating a closure of Aulnay. Unions fear that the decline in production will continue and lead eventually to a cessation of activity on this site.

"We want to continue working"

In recent months the government has stepped up operations in the industrial thorny issues. Latest success, the recovery of the carrier Sernam by Geodis. In the case of Peugeot, the unions are skeptical, as expressed by Jean-Pierre Mercier Thursday: "We all know that the management of Peugeot expects the presidential and legislative elections to officially announce the closure of this factory, we are unwilling not die, we want to continue working. "

Cemented over the Internet and social networks, legends are built today at full speed. Especially in the "global village" of finance. Demonstrated experience in recent days by crossing Iksil Bruno, senior trader but anonymous until last Friday the bank JP Morgan in London.

The man remains discreet, understandably. Within days, he became the "whale of London", or "the Thames", or "white" – we do not know too much – or Voldemort, the terrible witch of the Harry Potter … The number of nicknames given to it becomes suspect. The story is told that then took a dramatic turn when it was revealed that the banker in question was French, a fact which would be enough to make a "trader crazy," Kerviel in a power nap.

This trader is part of the Chief Investment Office of JP Morgan in London. Mission: to cover the global credit risk of the bank. A bank, remember, which is one of the first in the world with some 2.3 trillion dollars in assets, including nearly 1 trillion of bank loans or bond companies.

Cover such a balance, that is to say smooth risk, entails putting a lot of money in the balance. And that's what the CIO of JP Morgan in London: its positions would reach $ 350 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. A figure which should not be misunderstood. Within this volume, the positions that bet on the rise of a particular index are largely offset by positions that bet on a decline, leaving the final few tens of millions of dollars, still in danger Loss … or possibility of gain.

An aberration of market

Why the activity of this team of JP Morgan is she suddenly appeared in full light? Bruno Iksil would take very large positions on a particular index, a derivative that replicates the behavior of CDS (credit default swaps) of some 121 companies short term personal loans. Such large positions that its movements can only move the value of this product, regardless of the price of 121 CDSs that compose it. A market aberration which obviously was not without consequences on some hedge funds, put in losses by the orders of the influential CIO JP Morgan. It is in this context it seems that some seem to have wanted to settle accounts in the press intermediary.

Behind "the matter of the whale in London," we therefore call one of those pretty poker games including financial traders have the secret. JP Morgan, who has not the reputation of being a bank-casino chooses to treat it with discretion. She is content to know that the activities of its London office are intended to cover its loan portfolio, and that the positions taken are knowingly.

The story may therefore be short-lived. Even if it raises real questions about the functioning of finance today. The first key of course the lack of market transparency of derivatives products, and in particular credit derivatives, whose gross volume reached tens of billions of dollars worldwide. The second, current, examines the nature of transactions. When these volumes are involved, is it still just hedging strategy or can we not think that JP Morgan also plays some of his capital? Soon, this question is no longer just theoretical: under Volcker rule that will apply to U.S. banks that collect deposits, such as JP Morgan, will no longer have the right to make the proprietary trading .

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The principle is simple: the competition is based on a survey indicating that Australians belonging to the male does not spend enough time with each other. The beer brand Fourex (XXXX), which belongs to the Lion Group, proposes a trip "with friends" on a desert island for six acres, located south of the Great Barrier Reef. For the occasion, "Pumpkin Island" has even been renamed "XXXX Island" for a three-year lease.

Develop a desert island "between guys"

But before you get to this paradise on earth supposed to make men happy, certain conditions must be met. At the risk of disappointing many, it must reside in Australia and be an adult. Then it comes to submit ideas to the team Fourex on ways to make this island as "the best destination for vacation with the guys." In this qualifying phase, the proposals tributary to the site. Rugby ground in the lagoon to the equipment that can fly from one beach to another and from one bar to another, via a fishing platform that includes a bar, all dreams or spend almost. The contest organizers urge participants to be "brilliant, or even brilliantly horniest horniest ', like Robinson Crusoe.

Once the five candidates selected by the votes of Internet users and the brand, they can apply their ideas on the island, in a spirit of idleness, and, once again, "the guys", the only company "feminine "is that of beer at will.

XXXX Island: "The Good Life", the island reserved … by Gentside

A general trend in advertising

For Cesvet Bertrand, chairman and senior partner of the Canadian ad agency Sid Lee and marketing, the campaign Fourex is part of the current trend of big brands. "Before, the traditional advertising scheme was the recurrence of a clear message to force the consumer to purchase. Now there is a desire for participation on the part of consumers. It is about creating conversations around the brand, encouraging word of mouth rather than traditional media. There is no real communication about the product but rather a fact of life here in this case the decline in male camaraderie "he says.  

Also according Cesvet Bertrand, who also manages the advertising of brands Adidas, Heineken, Grimbergen, Dom Perignon or Ubisoft, this big campaign costing several million dollars is quite intelligent and successful, especially that it does not associate the clichés often found in advertisements for beer (sexist, girls in bikinis …). Finally, the operation conducted by the Australian brand is in full interactivity, just like the advertising campaign conducted in 2010 by Tipp-Ex on Youtube, featuring a multiple scenario between a bear and a hunter.

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"Telerama" is offered on Wednesday, a fundamental review of its editorial formula. This evolution of the weekly television, accompanied by a new model, is "a response by Telerama change consumption and cultural practices to win new readers and continue to attract current," says its director writing, Fabienne Pascaud.

With its position closer to a "cultural news", Telerama has suffered less last year than the heavyweights of television news. France paid its circulation reached 622,161 copies in 2011, down 1.59%, while all of this family of magazines dropped 3.3%, according to OJD.

The ambition of the new formula of the title, including the selling price increased from 2.30 to 2.50 euros in late February, is to "reclaim the newsstand sales of around 75,000 copies today. The kiosk is synonymous with vitality, "says Fabienne Pascaud. In this perspective, the title also wants to seduce new readers, "young adults, 30 to 40 years." The average age of readers "is currently at 49 years." At constant paging (137 pages of writing), the new formula Telerama advocates "openness" totally free credit score.

"To better understand the society we live heckled, through its creators, its intellectuals, its researchers, it is essential to increase the angles of approach, open to also radiate to other types writing, "says its director in the editorial to be published Wednesday. With a model which "gives more room for elegance," redesigned internally by the Artistic Director Loran Stosskopf the nouveauTélérama offers shorter film critics, a "photo editorial", new sections on concerts, video games or catch up on TV. However, the little figure Ulysses, smiling or grimacing as film review, remains under a new face.

The offensive of the weekly, owned by "Le Monde", is accompanied by a revival of its website, with "greater visibility of services and content" and creating a premium area, TéléramaPlus, for to subscribers. Last year, Telerama has achieved a turnover of 77 million euros. 25% of revenues come from advertising.

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To guard against the resurgence of robberies and burglaries, petty traders are increasingly likely to opt for these cases of a new genus. Invented some twenty years in Sweden, one in 3000 has settled in France. Since banks and hypermarkets are equipped with powerful anti-theft devices to protect themselves, offenders are folded over the shops, where people pay in cash.

According to the Confederation of tobacconists, which represents 28,000 professionals in France, 1,176 tobacconists have been leveled at their institution at least once in 2011. With 95% of payments made in cash and hundreds of transactions per day, bakeries are also at the forefront.

This benefits two leading suppliers of anti-steering boxes, Swedish and German CashGuard Wincor Nixdorf, which both claim the leading position in France. CashGuard has already installed 687 systems in France, with 170 orders for the first half of 2012, according to Laurent Jamin, director of the French subsidiary of the company while Wincor Nixdorf, associated with the French Gervais WTO celebrated in Paris in mid-December the hundredth bakery equipped its devices.

More efficient, hygienic

These boxes which have the appearance of a large piggy bank are placed on the counter or directly integrated into the cash desk. And calculates the machine makes the currency in a time close to the second. The principle is simple: once the price announced by the merchant, the customer slips his coins in a slot or a note inserted in a swallower that detects and filters out spurious, all landing in a sealed box quick payday loan.

In addition to safety, this system has the advantage of eliminating any errors in cash and allow an immediate calculation of the recipe. The currency board is closed, no employee has access to cash which prevents internal theft faced by all traders. They generally find an increase in their sales after the installation of these machines. These boxes are also hygienic: the sellers no longer have to handle cash and food. If these smart boxes and inviolable may discourage some robbers, they have a cost. With the purchase, depending on the model and the management software you choose, it takes between 20,000 and 25,000 euros while in rent, the daily cost between 20 and 30 euros.

For Carole Poulain, who owns a bakery in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, this device has made an improvement in the management of his business every day. But the customers they meet there? "If initial attempts are a little hesitant, customers get used to it and take the hand" recognizes the owner. This new automated payment system does not, however, unanimously, some recalcitrant regretting the loss of human exchange in favor of technology.

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When Samsung reports on its activities in France, this looks like a show of force. Thursday, March 22, local teams of Korean have an update on the business performance of the brand in France. The balance is simple: Samsung is number one on almost all markets.

Last year, Samsung has done just under 3 billion euros in turnover in the Hexagon, an increase of 18% compared to 2010. He now owns 40% of the French mobile market, "20 points ahead of number two (note: Nokia)," says David Eberle, head of the division in France Telecom. In 2011, 24 million phones were sold in the country, including 11.5 million smartphones. On the latter segment, Samsung also advanced in first place with 36.6% of sales. He is now focusing on its capacity for innovation and new products to strengthen its positions.

On the TV market, Samsung has also managed to conquer France. Last year, about 8.3 million televisions sold nearly one in four was a Samsung. A position that the Korean intends to maintain, despite an expected decline in the market which is expected to fall to 7 million units. To support sales, Samsung highlights the features of its TV connected as the availability of Skype.

Now the Samsung steamroller is on its way. In the computer first. The group is "a number of monitors on the market with 20.8% of sales, number one on the printer for individuals, and a number of digital signage, with over 50% of the market," said Agnes Van de Walle, head of the IT sector. With the launch of new PCs Ultrabooks, Korean intends to carve cruppers its competitors in this field.

But Samsung's ambitions do not stop there. Still very present in digital photography, it intends to change the situation, including through cameras with WiFi function. The brand is considered "legitimate" to offer such products, given its experience in telephony. One way to answer the picture of historical actors who consider themselves to be often the only "legitimate" for everything that is shot.

Korean is also seeking to strengthen its presence in home appliances, starting with the cold (refrigerator) and washing (washing machine and dishwasher). Not to mention the lighting: the first Korean LED will be in stores in the coming weeks! Samsung builds on the reputation acquired in the two markets are the flagship of the TV and the mobile to reach its global sales. A strategy that so far has paid off.