From our correspondent in Brussels.

The French like the Greeks have sanctioned the rigor and Europe seeking his bearings again. After the victory of Francois Hollande and the crushing defeat of the supporters of the euro in Athens, the EU has launched Monday in a forced march to catch up policy. Under the banner of growth, but piecemeal.

Much will depend on the ability of the elected president and German chancellor to silence by their dissonances to May 15 on what was until Sunday the compass of European capitals: the fiscal pact and collective discipline. But it is the vote that created consternation Greek. By depriving democratic legitimacy of the bailout which Europe has devoted two years in a considerable energy, it immediately wakes up the specter of a breakup of the euro.

"Greece is at the limit of what its people can cash in" on austerity, Michel Barnier recognizes facing the electoral advance of the extreme. For the French commissioner, the balance needs to find throughout the EU "between what is credible for the markets and what is bearable for the people." Angela Merkel is weakened by the ordeal, but financial orthodoxy is not provided under attack: "There is no question of renegotiating the bailout" laboriously reached in February with Athens, provides an official at the heart the discussion.

"All debts are created equal"

Sacrificing the Greek plan, or give a penknife in the Treaty budget, would be far worse than burning idols of yesterday. This would pave the way for overflow. Portugal, also on a drip European, certainly require adjustments. In Ireland, it might find in a compact variable geometry a right to say again "no" to a European treaty in the referendum of May 31

Francois Hollande has not specified how its European partners "for that austerity is no longer inevitable." Approaching his victory speech had already begun to move to Brussels as the European capitals. This was done in small steps, but the austerity of the mantras are already chipped or less: less structural reforms and budget cuts, more flexibility, employment and growth. "All public debts are not created equal," ahead of anonymity a senior official opponent of bureaucracy and cost of future investments.

A first dam jumped this weekend when the Finnish Commissioner Olli Rehn, in charge of the case, implicitly admitted that the objective of a budget deficit reduced to 3% in 2013 would perhaps not required by all. Greece, of course, but also Spain overwhelmed by the recession and unemployment could well benefit from this exemption the first inexpressible last month. Under "exceptional circumstances", validated by other EU countries.

The bet is that markets will accommodate this as an act of political realism and not as a confession of laxity on the euro. The big question remains of course France: its budget program is already extraordinary and rare are those who still believe she can hold the line, despite repeated assurances from President-elect.

The second exception to the rule of the game for the Relief Fund of the euro, too painstakingly negotiated treaty with Berlin. Again, this is Spain and its banks eroded by the recession that give cold sweats. The idea agitated in several capitals would authorize the "European Monetary Fund" to provide loans directly – that is to say unconditionally – Spanish banks. But this window open still faces opposition front of Angela Merkel.

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"Vote and go anyway!" Displays the travel agency Nouvelles Frontieres, "Vote by proxy and win a free night for two nights and get" diffuse the tourist office in Les Sables d'Olonne, "Voting is open its mouth but better "placards at all is a sign of fast food in ten different languages, while the ski resort of Chamrousse proposed his" ski pass citizen "and that the General Council of Essonne offered tickets to a rugby match to persons who have completed their duty to vote. In short, all the slogans that incentives, like ideas, no lack of originality in recent weeks. The objective is twofold: to reduce abstention but also generate additional revenue, or at least ride the wave of presidential elections.  

When the ballot becomes a ski day

The tourist office in Chamrousse (Isère) has understood that he had a vested interest in dragging this track one: "We decided to align the end of the ski season with the day of the first round of presidential elections , by implementing a package to a Euro on presentation of the electoral map duly stamped "says Medhi Kerbati, director of the tourist office. Obviously, he had to get up early to vote at a time and enjoy a sunny day of skiing. The Director welcomes further: "In 2007, we sold between 300 and 350 pass the same day, while on Sunday we have been almost 4,000 packages a day, including 2800 'skipass citizens'." Therefore a boon to the small station with 90 km tracks. It would be even one of the best days of the season.  

Discounts or freebies appreciated

In Roubaix (North), fast food Burger Food Familiy partnered with the association "Brigade civic action" to grant 10% discount for two rounds of elections, upon presentation of the electoral map stamped. The manager, Ahmed Meguedmi, was very satisfied with the effects of operation: "We found that customers who were not usually crossed our doors, especially young people, but our clientele is 80% family time normal. On April 22, traffic on our restaurants increased by 30-40% compared to other Sundays, "he says. An approach more citizen when one remembers that Roubaix had obtained the record abstention in the first round of regional elections in 2010, over 71%. In the first round of this year's presidential, abstention remained high at 31.43%.

In the wake of the fight against abstention, in Arles and Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhone), the taxi company and Co-bikes Taco has offered to the two rounds of elections free transport customers to their polling station. Was free from 8h to 13h, and the operation has been very positive as explained Aldric Monteux, co-manager of the company: "We were able to combine a citizen but also environmentally friendly, while trying to reduce the abstention. We have carried twenty, or forty trips. This was especially the elderly or people then cut transport, which would probably not displaced. "  

Campaigns sometimes left fallow

Another tourist office, that of Les Sables d'Olonne (Vendee), capitalized on an extended operation on the four weekends of presidential and legislative elections, of offering a third night for people who have established an attorney. In agreement with a dozen providers, the business case put forward here is quite as indicated Dixte Mathieu, marketing manager of the site of the tourist office: "We launched the operation on March 28 because not only the elections Presidential is a drag but tourism and more at this time we still see a drop in attendance of around 15-20%. It was a way to both promote our destination, and encourage people to vote. "  

The only cloud on the table: because of bad weather, the impact has been almost nil, although the website of the tourist office in question recorded an increase of nearly 17,000 visits over the same period (March 24 to 23 April) compared to last year. The operation, in turn, drained 1600 visits since the beginning of the operation.

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SELNI, last French manufacturer of motors for washing machines, has just robbed a mega contract to one of its Chinese competitors. This firm, which currently employs 150 people, provide from the end of the year in Vestel, a Turkish specialist appliances, two million engines per year, and for ten years. "This is a contract of several hundred million euros, whereby we are doubling our production. In France today, we can compete with the Chinese, "says Philippe Vidal, CEO of SELNI.

SELNI, whose turnover is currently around 25 million euros, has managed to match Chinese prices, while offering products of superior quality. "Our responsiveness has also weighed in the balance. Our technical tool allows us to fill an order within 48 hours, against more than 6 weeks for the Chinese, who suffer from very long delivery times, "says the director.

Production in Turkey

However, the company based in Nevers comeback. Hard hit by the crisis of 2008-2009, she almost put the key under the door, before being taken up by several of its executives. Today she is back on track. "We have optimized our products as our organization. Engines, for example, have been lightened up. It has replaced some components in copper with aluminum, but harder to work cheaper. Internally, we developed the versatility of each, "says Philippe Duval.

This additional production does not necessarily translate provided by new hires. 800,000 engines for entry level to provide Vestel annually SELNI had to agree to perform in Turkey, 3 kilometers from his client. "We would not have been able to make these motors very cheap in France, and we reserve margin. This proximity allows us to provide just-in Vestel, explains Philippe Duval. We approach our customers as we did before the automakers. "

From 30 to 40 people will be employed in Turkey. "That leaves 1.2 million engines a year to produce more in Nevers."

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"Sales of electrical resist the crisis

Fuel prices soar notably due to higher oil prices. But is that they will decline as the black gold flow back on world markets? Yes, according to an academic study published last weekend by economists Erwan Gautier (University of Nantes) and Ronan Le Saut (Ecole Polytechnique). Their work is based on data collected daily by the Ministry of Economy between 2007 and 2009 with 10,000 service stations.

Contrary to the fears of the authorities and consumers, "the downward variations are as numerous as the variations on the rise, and they are of the same magnitude," the researchers said. They found instead that managers affect only three-quarters of price changes in international prices of a liter of diesel and two thirds for gasoline. "This gap is consistent with the importance of raw material-the-refined oil in the price of a liter at the pump (between 75% and 85% of total costs)," said Erwan Gautier.

Clearly, if the pump price varies to a lesser extent than international prices, it is because other costs that come into account in calculating the price, they do not move. These findings partly confirm the results of a study by the Ministry of Economy dated June 2011. According to the latter, which examined the evolution of prices for a few weeks, the drop in world prices was reflected better on diesel than on gasoline.

The two economists, however, lead to more accurate results. The petrol stations affect price movements in Rotterdam, where the refined oil is traded in the 5 to 10 days on average. The French Union of Petroleum Industry (UFIP) explains this delay by the time of transport for the supply of pumps and the need to sell existing stocks purchased before the price changes. Prices are revised, preferably on Tuesdays and Fridays, every 5 days on average for diesel, every 6.5 days for gasoline.

Supermarkets change prices more often

All market players are not as quick to change the prices, they detect. Supermarkets, for example, change more frequently and more significantly than other gas stations, belonging mostly to oil companies. This can be explained by the cost analysis Erwan Gautier: "Supermarkets share some expenses related to the operation of the pumps with their store." On the other hand, their margin is extremely low on fuel: it s' is for them a loss leader to attract customers and they are undercutting prices.

In reading the study, the existing competition in the market seems to push the players to pass on price movements as honestly as possible. The proximity of a gas station and a supermarket equipped with pumps, for example, the first incentive to adjust its prices more nimbly. On the other hand, the highway stations, away from any competition, the less impact of international price movements. And, with the exception of the Paris region, rates move slightly more often in urban than in rural. The stations offer many services and high quality fuels also adjust the lowest price movements.

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With nearly 38,500 hiring managers conducted in 2011 and 39,000 more planned in 2012, APEC confirms that the sales function is still leading the race. Unquestionably, it is one of the engines of job market or non-management frameworks. But in an uncertain period, where companies seek to expand into new markets, priority is given to hunters.

Alice Guy-Bolmin, responsible recruitment and career management, Inmac WStore.

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 no fax payday advance. 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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For the third and penultimate trading session on the agreements "competitive employment", management has decided to accelerate. A draft framework for these agreements was submitted Tuesday to the unions to allow companies to adapt working time and wages according to the activity and avoid having recourse to short. On this subject on the table by Nicolas Sarkozy in January, the MEDEF is pressed to agree – while the unions themselves, the play shows until the presidential election.

Laurence Parisot, the boss of bosses, gave instructions to his troops to quickly reach a compromise: "Beyond the election, so does employment and business life."

The project submitted by the employers provides that such agreements are negotiated within the company, with unions that are present payday lenders. "The branch is present in an advisory capacity and can not be blocking," says Patrick Bernasconi, leader of the employers' delegation. Moreover, the agreement should be concluded for a fixed period, not exceeding two years. The refusal of an employee to accept a dismissal would sui generis authorizing him to receive severance and termination pay.

The unions responded in a disorganized, the polite refusal of the CFDT not judging "not balanced" the denunciation of a "job blackmail" by the CGT.

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Louis Welsh, CEO of aerospace group EADS, Airbus' parent company, for another few months, had assured him a few weeks ago the BBC: "We will continue and we will resist external interference." The confirmation of the German Ministry of Economics of a possible rise of Berlin the capital of the group could make the mission more difficult. The German government has indeed made a provision that could be used to repurchase additional shares of EADS.

Last November, Berlin had confirmed the recovery of half of the shares of the automaker Daimler, or 7.5%. The aim of the German government was not to lose ground against the French government retaining these shares in the lap of Germany.

But Berlin could therefore go beyond. The government has made a provision so that the public bank KF – who had already intervened in the case Daimler – can optionally be able to take additional units, the ministry said. In Focus, 4.5% stake now held by a group of private investors, shareholders also 60% of a consortium named Dedalus. This last group of public and private investors, includes, alongside great names of German finance Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and Allianz, regional states in which EADS operates in Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg and Bremen ). Dedalus has a total of 7.5% of the aerospace group payday loan lenders.

Power relations

By the end of the year, the consortium Dedalus might decide to sell 4.5% stake. If he offers to the German State, it will be obliged to redeem them, the ministry said. Deutsche Bank and Allianz, who took 10% of each Dedalus at the time of formation of the structure in 2007, did not comment. According to the Financial Times Deutschland, the provision of government reach 1.6 billion euros. The new acquisition would amount to 12% of Berlin's participation in the capital of EADS. According to Les Echos, it could reach 13% if we add the 1% held by the public bank KfW in Dedalus. In front, France has 15% stake, and Lagardère 7.5%.

The balance of power at EADS are a sensitive subject. Recently, the German government has expressed its fears of excessive weight of France in his eyes in the division of roles and assignment of key posts, including the changeover from the center of gravity of EADS in Toulouse. Thomas Enders, Airbus President and current successor of Louis Galois, had proposed to his headquarters in Toulouse.

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With over 62,000 franchised units recorded at the end of 2011, for a turnover of 49 billion euros, the franchise remains a dynamic sector in the economic universe French. According to statistics from the French Franchise Federation (FFF), which holds up to Wednesday night's annual meeting at the Porte de Versailles, 92 new franchise networks were launched last year (for a total of 1569 ). However, some areas are most promising and lucrative than others. Especially, new areas, some surfing very clearly on the crisis, appear and arouse vocations, especially since in their general admission tickets are more affordable.

Overall winner, the 7313 claim services auto franchises across 61 networks. Midas (315 service centers, fast), for example, announces the hiring of 50 franchises this year (either by creation or by recovery sites). Candidates must, however, an investment fund of between 160,000 and 250,000 euros, with 30% minimum down payment. Short-term rental is also dynamic with Rent a Car (480 stores including 200 franchisees) which expects 10 new franchises this year, while Ada is a net balance of 20 openings (for a total network of 480 agencies) .

Ten franchises for over Legendre

Another promising sector, fast food, where we no longer launches, which counted at the end of last year franchises for 3740 123 networks (20 more in a year). One example, Subway, the specialist sandwich and salads, has announced no fewer than 90 new restaurants in 2011, crossing at the same time the 300 units operated under franchise in France. Among the newest signs, Basil & Co, a concept of takeaway pizzas (entrance fee to 60,000 euros). In catering to themes (1101 deductibles and 79 networks), the time is in development with Memphis Coffee, which provides a dozen openings this year with a target turnover of 20 million euros. As for La Boucherie, it plans 20 new restaurants this year (including 10 free) and will recruit 350 people. In total, the company has 83 restaurants for a turnover of 83 million euros.

In the services sector, the academic support stand. During the Legendre who launched the franchise last year with a target network of 50 agencies in 2015, currently has ten franchises (including Toulouse, Pau, Bordeaux, Lyon, Annecy or Saint-Etienne). "For the first year of operation, the agency is a forecast of around 200,000 euros in business volume on average, for the only activity being at home," said Olivier Gresse, marketing director. During the Legendre in 2011 showed a turnover up 13 million euros (+10%) and this year expect a growth of 10%. For its part, Anacours (4.9 million euros of turnover) announces ten new franchises in 2012, while during Ado (23 agencies, including 3 branches), provides eight openings free.

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As announced by the boss of Total, Christophe de Margerie, gasoline now costs more than two euros. According to the website carbeo.com, the unleaded 95 cost 2.02 euros in the service station Saint-Antoine in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. This is the first time this symbolic threshold is crossed.  

At the national level, prices of unleaded gasoline reached new heights last week, to 1.6211 euro on average for a liter of unleaded 95 and 1.6610 for that of 98 unleaded, according to data published Monday by the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

Since late 2011, gasoline prices beat record after record in France, powered by a dual effect of geopolitical tensions (Iran, Nigeria …) that keep crude oil prices at very high levels, and weakening of the euro against the dollar, which boosts the cost of black gold once its converted value in the single currency.

A political issue

Political leaders have seized the questiion. President Nicolas Sarkozy, candidate to succeed himself, had described the end of February "joke" blocking oil prices, a proposal by the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, pointing out that prices are determined by a "global marketplace to outside. "

Sales of unleaded 95 represent just under 15% of French consumption of motor fuels and unleaded 98 around 5%.

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