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Since formalizing his candidacy on February 15, Nicolas Sarkozy deseeded dozens of proposals, with its compiled in a campaign document, as an accurate, encrypted, presented Thursday. According to his entourage, the president candidate could submit a new "strong measure" in the social field. Earlier this week, Nicolas Sarkozy has indicated that its entire program will ask for 115 billion euros to the French effort, spending about 75 billion, 40 billion on revenue.

Nicolas Sarkozy also has his "letter to the French," in which he exhibited his "values" and his "vision of France" by the year 2017. This document, published in several million copies, will be distributed "by activist," says his entourage. On the first page of the 36-page document, is a sentence written in manuscript by Nicolas Sarkozy: "My fellow Americans, there is nothing more beautiful than the love of his country." "My goal is clear: France to build a strong enough in the next five years (…), yes reconcile France and France's failure" to the European referendum in 2005, Nicolas Sarkozy said.

• Economy and Public Finance

"" All my proposals are built around one goal: the balance of public finances in 2016, "said Nicolas Sarkozy. He confirmed in his project a French public deficit has 0% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 and a surplus of 0.5% in 2017. Incumbent President states in his proposed reduction of the French public debt to 80.2% in 2017 instead of 85.8% in 2011 with European commitments.

"To achieve the deficit targets, the tax burden will increase from 43.8% of GDP in 2011 to 45.6% in 2017 in France. Nicolas Sarkozy plans in its plan to cut public spending in France to 51.9% of GDP in 2017 instead of 55.9% in 2011.

"Nicolas Sarkozy has acknowledged that 115 billion effort is needed over five years. "I have to add the 9.5 billion campaign proposals," he added. This brings the total effort of 124 billion. Three quarters will focus on reducing expenses, the remainder of the revenue, insisted the president candidate, as he had already announced.

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Times are changing. Apple also. Tim Cook, CEO of the group, visited China this week. This is the chief executive of the Apple brand to do so. Territory that Steve Jobs has ignored many years before the first open an Apple Store in 2008, but he never went. Thursday, the world's factory and especially Apple, China today is a tremendous reservoir of consumers. The Chinese world – mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan – is already the second largest brand, behind the United States.

No question of the destination then sulk. "China is very important to us and we look forward to further invest and grow here," and said Carolyn Wu, spokesman for the brand in one of the few interventions official Apple communication very stingy on the Overall the visit Tim Cook. Received with honors by the Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, tipped to succeed next year in the current prime minister, Wen Jiabao, also met with California leading operators China Unicom and China Telecom. First local operator, China Mobile still in talks with Apple to launch iPhone on its network. Moreover, an intellectual property litigation on the brand "IPAD" claimed by a Hong Kong company, slows sales of iPad in China, where the latest version has not yet been launched.

Wave of suicides at Foxconn

But the trip leader California also sought to address criticisms been rising, from around the world, on the manufacturing conditions of its high-tech products payday loans lenders. In 2010, a wave of suicides had given to Foxconn, Apple's main supplier that produces iPhone and iPad in China, a fatal reputation, yet tarnished by an explosion in a factory and workers of poisoning by chemicals.

An image so disastrous that earlier this year, the American actor Mike Daisey had no trouble getting across the Atlantic believe that Foxconn, children 12 years working in factories guarded by armed guards, before admitting that this information had been made.

No wonder Tim Cook will be split from a visit to the new Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, south-west of Beijing, including the official photos showed smiling employees. The Apple brand is committed to improving working conditions in its factory in China, signing an agreement with Foxconn on the hiring of tens of thousands of employees, improving safety and solving the problem for hours additional illegal.

Earlier, China had the opportunity to lecture foreign companies invited by Li Keqiang to "take more care of their workers," according to comments reported by the official daily English-language China Daily.

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It is in the Christofle workshops in Saint-Denis, near Paris, where the Assizes are held the craft, the Secretary of State for Crafts and SMEs today unveiled a thirty measures. Frederic Lefebvre also presents the first dictionary of trades and crafts made by the Higher Institute of trades. While the economic slowdown weakens small companies, the government has sought to limit their cash flow problems. The State must pay the bills upon receipt of an amount less than 5000 euros. "I wrote to all the major French companies and representatives of local communities so that they apply the same rule," says Frédéric Lefebvre.

The artisans can compete more easily for the procurement of up to 15,000 euros, against 4,000 euros previously. "There are thousands of markets that they are going to get easier. We work to promote the hiring of apprentices as an element of choice for businesses in public procurement. Finally, I remain determined to convince the public purchasers to join our project of setting up a central website for the TPE easily know where to find listings of government procurement, "said Frederic Lefebvre.

Transmission and recovery companies will be encouraged. "We will develop regional branches of repayable advances of funds, with the chambers of trade and craft areas and support networks that help entrepreneurs such OSEO and Siagi, said Secretary of State . We will provide an opportunity for buyers to keep an artisan when staff have over 10 employees. Today, a cottage industry, when it is created, is to use up to 10 employees; in the future, a buyer may acquire a company employing 20 employees without it losing its status as an artisan. ".. …… Develop exports

A government portal, listing the aid that can benefit small-scale entrepreneurs, will be implemented. Artisans will participate in the commission of reducing paperwork, composed equally of government officials and business leaders, which will be implemented on March 19. "About 10 measures will reduce and simplify the calculation and payment of social contributions. For example, the Contractor may choose the monthly or quarterly surveys of its social security contributions. The lag between the time of its collection of revenues and the payment of social security contributions will be reduced, "says Frédéric Lefebvre.

The poles for Innovation of Crafts will be developed. "I hope that the craftsmen and designers collaborate more. I am setting up a double signature "made by" with the name of the craftsman and "designed by" with the name of designer, enabling artisans to defend their talent and authenticity in the global marketplace, "explains Frédéric Lefebvre . The cabinetmaker Rinck won a solid commercial success by working with Philippe Starck and other designers. Hundred thousand euros will be allocated to projects where a designer and craftsman have worked together.

To develop the exports made by artisans, which exceed 6 billion euros a year, Paris Airport opens the first half of a space dedicated to the craft at the airport of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. Spaces of the art of French living will be opened in New York and Tokyo. "I hope that the great American fortunes, Asian, South American or Russian sponsor of French craftsmen labeled" business of living heritage and crafts. " Artisans will be able to win new business, "says Frédéric Lefebvre. This operation sponsorship will be launched in the first half in Moscow and Miami.

Conclusion of the Secretary of State, who does not forget the campaign: "Artisans are strong pillars of France defended the president. They embody the work, a key value that France remains the fifth largest economy. They create jobs, growth, and defend the identity of the territories. "

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Personal loans and other revolving loans no longer seduce the French. In January, output fell by 7.4% compared to January 2011, according to the ASF (French Association of Financial Companies). Last year, after a strong first quarter (+9.3%), it had already begun a sharp decline: – 1.8% in the second quarter – the third and 3.7% – 4.5% in the fourth . "The French market fell to its 2000 level. Production in 2011 was 14% below the historic peak of 2007, "said Bruno Salmon, president of the ASF.

The revolving credit continues to decline

To explain this disaffection, professionals invoke the loss of consumer confidence in an economic anxiety, but also lower sales of new cars, and therefore the associated credits. The car loans decreased by 14.5% in January over the same month last year, and 7.8% over the last three months.

Also involved, the law Lagarde who oversaw the marketing of revolving credit, these "reserves" of money in which the borrower draws at will as and its needs.

This law compels such professionals to offer clients an alternative to the revolving loan in excess of 1000 euros. They must also include in each monthly payment a minimum repayment of capital. The loan term is shortened, and the amount becomes smaller. Revolving credit is transformed gradually into a cash credit for small amounts, for short periods, for small repetitive purchases.

The impact of the law Lagarde

"The law Lagarde has reduced from 12% to 15% of the openings of new revolving loans and a decrease of 20% of new uses of credit lines already open," said Francoise Guillabert Palle, general delegate of the ASF.

In total, the production of these loans fell by 6.1% in 2011. This is the fourth consecutive year of decline. They also represent more than 35% of consumer loans made by members of the ASF, against 40% in 2009.

In a recent study, the French Banking Federation (FBF) also emphasized the lower French interest in the consumer credit. Only 3.6% of respondents were planning to buy one within six months, against 4.1% a year earlier.

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Can we judge the Heads of State or Government for their responsibility in the economic crisis that has shaken the world since 2008? To this question, the parties have used to respond that the verdict will urns – some have already experienced at their expense. Iceland is in court that the former head of government is accountable. Geir Haarde appearing before a special court – the exclusive right to try ministers – for his role in the collapse of the financial system. Adjourned in September, the trial resumed on Monday and will last until March 15. The accused faces up to two years in prison.

That's an understatement to say that Iceland has suffered from the crisis: the economy of the island with 320,000 inhabitants was literally blown away by the explosion of the global financial system in 2008. The three largest banks in the country, which held assets equivalent to 923% of national GDP, went bankrupt. Plunged into deep recession, the country owed its salvation to EUR 1.6 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Popular anger caused by this disaster had forced the then Conservative government of Geir Haarde to resign.

"We saved the country from bankruptcy"

But Iceland is not stopping there 0cherche guilty. In spring 2009, a parliamentary commission of inquiry concluded that the main leaders of countries have made serious mistakes in managing the crisis. The expert report specifically criticized Geir Haarde to have stifled the information leaving early in the year 2008 point to a major financial crisis guaranteed payday loans. The former head must also meet its inaction to reduce the size of banks hypertrophied.  

According to the accused, let the banks go broke "was the right thing to do" and "saved the country from bankruptcy." "The banking sector has collapsed but the real economy, the entire production capacity of the country, remained intact and continues to run," he pleaded last summer. In fact, Iceland has since returned to growth. If the state had guaranteed foreign debts of the banking system, Geir Haarde believes that Iceland would have "the same mistakes" as Greece, for example.

Beyond the merits, the defense challenges the very principle of this trial. She recalled that none of the other ministers implicated by the inquiry commission has not been charged. But among them were two Socialists, and it's socialist majority in Parliament to what income the decision to refer Geir Haarde court. The latter has a field day denouncing a "settling of accounts" policy. More broadly, the former leader sees himself as a scapegoat for the crisis: "There was a collapse of banks around the world (…) Why is there no other political leader in a court like? ".

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Apple has concerns for the rich. What to do with $ 100 billion in free cash? The question is more embarrassing than it seems for Apple. It happens more a presentation of results without the fuse questions from analysts on the subject. They call for the resumption of dividend-practice abandoned by a moribund Apple in 1995 – the establishment of a share buyback program or acquisitions. Even Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, admitted late February that his group has "too much cash", fueling rumors of a possible resumption of dividends. But this is not so simple.

Two-thirds of the cash Apple are outside the United States. The repatriation of this war chest, including the form of dividends, would have a huge fiscal cost. It could cost more than $ 22 billion in taxes, according to Bespoke Investment Group. The geographic dispersion of cash Apple is primarily due to its organization based on many subsidiaries abroad. With a first consequence: some countries, like China or Russia, limit lift cash. Apple is "sentenced" to spend there or all of the profits.

But the Californian company is also a willing victim in other territories. As Microsoft or Google, Apple has found his tax haven in Ireland. A small expatriation that allows Apple to display an average tax rate of 24.2% worldwide for its fiscal year 2011. Ten points lower than the average tax rate for U.S. companies.

This type of organization, however, has absolutely nothing special. All multinationals, or almost, have adopted the same legal and tax scheme. This selection draws the ire of American protest groups, who dream of seeing repatriated profits and taxed in the United States. Faced with these attacks, such multinationals, united in a group called Win America, do not hesitate to conduct intensive lobbying campaigns aimed at getting a tax amnesty.

More acquisitions

Failing to do this, each brings its solutions. For Apple, it passes through acquisitions of companies abroad. End of 2011, the U.S. has set his sights on Anobit, an Israeli start-up specializing in flash memory, paid $ 500 million. A transaction modest by Apple, but the most important of the last fifteen years. And that could foreshadow other. Apple also raised equity investments in production facilities in Asia, which would also be a way to secure its supplies. To takeovers abroad could finally be added that of patent portfolios. Apple has already completed several major transactions in this area, although for the moment, they were all performed in the United States.

Finally, the development of Apple Store (owned stores) is a good way to reinvest the cash. Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen the distribution network. Since we do lend to the rich, there is talk now of the upcoming Apple Store opening on the Champs-Elysees.

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As soon as the telecom regulator (ARCEP) she reiterated that Free Mobile fulfilling its obligations in terms of coverage, the network of the new telephone is again controversial. He knows since Friday morning strong disturbances that affect customer communications. The magnitude of the incident remains unknown, Iliad, the parent of Free, refused to give details. But for France Telecom, under contract to Free Mobile, it would be a "major incident".

Disturbances may be caused by the failure of one of the two "signaling equipment" Free Mobile needed to find the phones.

Orange wants to keep his distance. The incumbent is linked to Free Mobile "a roaming agreement" which allows customers to use the Free Orange network in areas where Free has not yet developed its own coverage. "Free us informed in the late morning of an incident on its network equipment. This incident is in no way related to the contract of homelessness in Orange network, "said a spokesman for France Telecom fast cash loans.

No "quality testing service"

The incident revived the controversy over the quality of service of the fourth mobile operator. Tuesday, Arcep confirmed before an Assembly committee that Free Mobile covered at least 27% of the French population, a regulatory requirement for anyone holding a mobile telephone license. The regulatory authority, however, that it had made "coverage tests" and not "test quality of service."

For other telephone companies, possess Free Mobile Network "cheap" or "empty". They accuse him and his relay off voluntarily and not to develop its infrastructure to rest on those of Orange, better and more extensive. It is estimated that over 90% of calls made by customers Free pass through its network.

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The debt crisis in Europe continues to impose experiencing this ritual to Angela Merkel and her center-right coalition. As in the previous six votes, in which MPs have urged the German solidarity towards the euro area, the approval by the Bundestag of the second bailout Greek turned yesterday at Calvary for the Chancellor, threatening its majority an existential crisis. Monday, she called politicians to approve the plan of 130 billion euros, for which the German contribution will be $ 35 billion, saying any other way "irresponsible" as the risks of bankruptcy of Greece are "incalculable ". However, Merkel has obtained the ratification of the Bundestag that through the voice of the opposition, throwing his government in limbo.

"The risks of turning away from Greece are incalculable, Merkel warned before the elected lower house of Parliament. Nobody can anticipate the consequences of the German economy, on Italy, on Spain, on the whole euro area and for the world "would have a bankruptcy of Greece. "I can not throw myself into the adventure, my oath forbade me," she said. Before insisting once again on the dramatic challenge: "If the euro fails, Europe is lost. If the euro wins, Europe wins. "

The Bavarian conservatives had turned up the heat in recent days by calling to stop pouring money into "a bottomless pit." Many elected Merkel of the CDU feel that Greece is a "lost cause". Result: The Chancellor received only 304 votes out of 311 needed to gather his own majority. The humiliation is even larger than the text was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 496 deputies, with the votes of the opposition instant payday loan. Some elected opposition will surely call early elections. For doubt now weighs on the viability of the Merkel government by the next legislative elections in 2013.

Soothe the discontent

The conservative chancellor acknowledged that "the path that opens before Greece is long and certainly not without risk." "This also applies to the success of the new program, no one can give guarantee 100% success," she added. His finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble warned MPs in a letter last week that it was probably not the last time they had to look at the Greek case. "The Bundestag will vote a third package for Greece," predicted Steinbrück for his part, is the opposition Social Democrats, during the parliamentary debate.

To try to calm the discontent in his camp (conservative CDU / CSU and liberal FDP), the Chancellor reiterated that his Government had "no need for a debate on increasing the volume of rescue mechanisms" to work (EFSF) and future (MES). A response to the demands of the G20, the last weekend, which was insufficient to convince its members. Following the appointment of a consensus candidate wanted by the opposition, Joachim Gauck, as president, Merkel cash their second defeat in a week.

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MPs began Monday consideration of amending budget establishing social VAT … a missed. The Finance Committee rejecting the measure: the left there was a majority, in the absence of several UMP members. This should not prevent the adoption of VAT social session. But Jean-Marc Ayrault was easy to see in the episode "indicative of a malaise." The boss of Deputies PS UMP derides his colleagues: "I understand that it does not raise the enthusiasm on their part!"

The Executive is sparing no effort yet to defend the measure. Monday, Francois Fillon has found it necessary to "realign our costs compared to our competitors in the euro area." Last week, Bercy was assured that inflation does not fly away, that 100,000 jobs would be created and that the industry would be the first beneficiary of reduced charges that it contradicts the UMP rapporteur of the text.

The government is now trying to lay to rest the idea that the VAT increase will affect more modest. A note by the Ministry of Economy established that on average only 42.7% of household consumption supports the standard rate of VAT, which will be raised from 19.6% to 21.2%. The rest does not suffer any VAT (financial or medical services, rent) or a reduced rate (print, drugs, food, transportation, food, work …). Note that this is part of expenses affected by the VAT increase is "slightly progressive with income": it represents 43.5% of consumption of 10% richest households, against "only" 41.4% of consumption of 10% of low-income households. "It is incorrect to say that the VAT increase weighs most on the most modest," says Bercy. Forgetting that these households consume a significant portion of their income and save less.

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