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Portugal has won its third review against its creditors. The troika (EU, IMF, European Central Bank) will be able to unlock a new tranche of aid to € 14.9 billion to be added to 38.2 billion already paid a total of 48, 8 billion if we subtract 4.3 billion earmarked for the recapitalization of banks. "This positive result demonstrates our ability to implement a demanding program," welcomed the Finance Minister, Vitor Gaspar.

Third country to benefit from a bailout after Greece and Ireland, for a total of 78 billion euros, Portugal seems to fare better than its neighbors, even though the government admits it will experience recession of 3.3% this year instead of 3% as initially planned.

In fact, it relies on the good performance of exports despite the crisis. Lisbon was able last year to reduce by 25% through its trade deficit up 15% of its sales abroad. Portugal has also continued its privatization program.

Challenges persist

The airline company TAP and airport operator ANA will be placed on the market very soon. The country has sold 21.35% of Energias de Portugal to China Three Gorges to 2 online cash advance.7 billion euros and 40% of its electricity distribution network to REN Chinese State Grid and Oman Oil for 592.2 million . Transfers of the State also concern the post office, bank Caixa insurance and freight of the national railway.

The aid plan "on track" even if "challenges remain", the judge troika. And Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho rejects any possibility to find themselves obliged to seek an extension. Portugal does not require "no more time or more money," he promises.

Only downside, unemployment continues to explode. He had reached a record 14% in late December, even hitting 35% of youth aged 15 to 24 years. Figures deemed "unacceptable" by the Minister of Economy, Alvaro Santos Pereira. And who said the secretary general of the main union confederation that the troika mission "is not helping the Portuguese but rather to help the markets."

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A wind of change blowing through all unemployment compensation systems in Europe, despite their great diversity. And the phenomenon does not date from the last crisis. "Since the 1990s, virtually all governments have tightened at some point or other conditions of compensation for the unemployed, partly for reasons of economy budget," says Carole Tuchszirer, researcher at the Study Center Employment (ECE).

Some methods have been widely used: reducing the duration of benefits, implementation example in the UK or in Germany, fewer beneficiaries, the Netherlands, Sweden or Spain, decrease the amount of services, enhanced requirements for job seekers in most European countries, including France … The objective of these measures is to encourage the unemployed to return to work. These reforms all the more concerned the most generous countries, like Germany, Belgium, Spain, France or the Nordic countries.

Penalties

But between theory and practice, there is sometimes a step. And obligations that are imposed on the unemployed, sometimes harder on paper than in reality. "When there are no vacancies, the question to accept one or not arise in any case much less," says Christine Erhel, professor at Paris I. In France, the radiation for refusing a reasonable offer of employment were, crisis requires, marginal since the entry into force of the reform in 2008. In Spain and Italy, these constraints are in fact tempered by the inefficiency of public service employment, which is struggling to provide training to the unemployed and job proposals payday loan. Conversely, the success of the Nordic model is based primarily on the association of a number of bonds with an activation policy (provision of training, incentives for rehabilitation, supported employment, assistance with job creation etc.. ) particularly dynamic.

"Bad jobs"

In the current reforms, there is also a contradiction, is Carole Tuchszicher, "to enhance training and to want to simultaneously precipitate the re-employment of the unemployed, even if they take jobs below their qualifications. "

In many countries, like Germany where the Hartz reform has contributed to the rise of mini-jobs paying 400 to 800 euros per month, the tightening of compensation would in fact rather increased the polarization of the labor market, between jobs low-paid or part-time (the "bad jobs" in the Anglo-Saxon), and full-time jobs more protective. "This is a model of society, is Carole Tuchzsicher. At each choose whether to be unemployed, hoping for a job commensurate with his qualifications, or occupy a position more quickly lower quality. "

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The tone rises between Orange and Free Mobile. Both operators have had a long meeting Tuesday afternoon on their roaming contract. Neither party did not wish to comment. This contract allows Free Mobile, which has pledged to cover 27% of the population with its own network, using the Orange network for the remaining three quarters, pending the gradual ramp-up its own infrastructure.

But Orange claims that 90% to 95% of calls made by customers Free Mobile currently go through its network. "The rise of Free Mobile Traffic is bigger and faster than had been anticipated and announced by Free. When you put these offers on the market, is expected to be some demand. There was a big underestimation on the part of the Free ", on Tuesday said the CEO of Orange, Stéphane Richard, on lepoint.fr.

"We manage the network from day to day, but it is in the interest of both parties to adapt the forecast, because the situation is not entirely satisfactory. We're open to our partner Free, and we will talk together. I hope we can ensure that the agreement can continue, "he said. Free Mobile home, he denies any tension or psychodrama, saying it is normal discussion between two partners.

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A common corporate tax between France and Germany to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Elysée Treaty next year. It is hollow, formed by the dream Paris and Berlin. The German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his French counterpart Baroin Monday presented a Green Paper setting out "the points of convergence on corporate taxation" between the two banks of the Rhine.

Reflection launched on 16 August 2011 and summarized by Nicolas Sarkozy: "Germany has a rate of corporation tax but a lower tax base broader" than France. In other words, German companies pay less tax but are more likely to pay. "Our idea is to broaden the tax base on French companies and thus to reduce rates," said the head of state.

The Green Paper points which quickly scans the fiscal convergence seems impractical for a long interest in those where the approximation is possible.

This is essentially the corporate tax. In Germany, the SI is set at 15.5% plus a contribution called "solidarity" of 5.5% and a "tax purposes" which varies according to the municipalities. On average, however, a German company pays a SI of 29.5% approximately. The rate was lowered by ten points over 2008. In France, the general scheme includes a corporate tax of 33.33%, with additional contributions of up to 3.3% for very large enterprises, while SMEs with a turnover of less than 7 , 6 million IS a pay cut to 15%. In total, if we add various other taxes – remnants of business tax – taxes paid by French companies of a certain size are 12 to 15 percentage points higher than for German.

According to the two ministries of Finance, "in order to maintain the competitiveness of German and French companies, the effort of convergence of corporate tax rates should mainly consist of lowering the standard rate of IS French, offset by a widening of his plate. " The effort, it is clearly stated in black and white, will be mainly to make the side of France: "Germany does not aspire to no change in the rate of corporation tax," we read in the Green Paper. Germany might instead be inspired by the French regime for the taxation of transactions between subsidiaries.

Technical work now completed, the two capitals will now launch a consultation, "particularly in the Parliaments and businesses." The goal is to "allow implementation of legislative measures convergence by 2013."

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It's a roller coaster! After falling to 1.3146 dollar, the euro has rebounded sharply, to $ 1.42. These days, he came back around $ 1.36. These violent movements illustrate the nervousness of the operators. In their defense, it is increasingly difficult to predict the various economic and political events.

Strategies in all were very pessimistic about the euro a month ago have adopted more moderate judgments fast cash now. "European politicians have given themselves time to solve problems. While Greece is in trouble but it still has until mid-December to collect the necessary financial support, "said John Kicklighter, Currency Strategist at DailyFX.

At Saxo Bank, comments are more incisive. "The sharp depreciation of the euro against the dollar mainly due to the renewed concern about the Italian debt.

Doubt continue to settle on Asian financial markets. Investors fear that the referendum in Greece announced Monday by Prime Minister George Papandreou.

After losing 1.70% yesterday, the Tokyo Stock Exchange Wednesday morning unscrewed at the close of 2.21% to 8640.42 points. Same atmosphere on Chinese stock markets: the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.92% to 19,192.70 points and the CSI 300 Index of Shanghai fell by 0.63% to 2680.49 points. "The Greek opinion is not favorable at the European level that includes austerity measures. Optimism prevailed before the G20 summit has faded, "said Fumiyuki Nakanishi, a broker at SMBC Friend Securities.The euro fell by 0.07% to 107.20 yen and the dollar fell by 0.32% to 78.12 yen.

Oil retreats

Oil prices were down Wednesday in Asia after the announcement of a referendum in Greece that could jeopardize the settlement of the debt crisis in Europe, said the courtiers.Le barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in December lost 74 cents to 91.45 dollars in early electronic trading. Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for December delivery gave up 59 cents to 108.95 dollars.

Pay gold more expensive than platinum? Before 2008, impossible for investors to believe this hypothesis. At that time, an ounce of platinum, the metal so rare and more precious than gold, skirting peaks close to 2200 dollars, while the gold turned laboriously around the bar in 1100 dollars. That gold can fill such a gap appeared unlikely. Yet three years later, this is real. Since the beginning of September, gold has repeatedly passed the plate at the meeting.

What happened in three years for such a reversal of steam takes place? The answer lies in the United States. In September 2008, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt and causes his fall in the economy and global finance. Or "platinum, like palladium, is a precious metal that is used to build cars.The automotive sector, linked to economic conditions, decreased high during the crisis. The platinum price has consistently dropped sharply during this period, "said Steve Allard XTB.

The evolution of the gold price since February 2010 (top) and platinum in February 2006 (below). Source: XTB France

Veronique Cayla, President of Arte since last January, is working to redress the Franco-German channel.

LE FIGARO. – Are you worried hearings lower than for DTT channels?

Veronique Cayla. – Arte was affected later by the arrival of DTT. It was only in 2009 that the audience began to drop out. Until then, the evening of Arte has remained at around 3% audience share and, earlier this year, we went down to 1.8% and 1.5% in the evening on the entire day. As France 5, the transition to DTT implies, moreover, Arte for the transition to broadcast 24 hours 24. While the chain of France Televisions significantly increased its investment in programs, Arte spent only 5 million per year to its schedule of the day, offering viewers between 5:00 and 7:01 p.m. showcase particularly poor.Most of the budgetary effort focused on the distribution costs which increased by 46% between 2007 and 2011.

Our new contract with the state gives us a public grant of 270 million euros in 2012, an increase of 7.3% over 2011. The entire increase will be allocated to programs. In return, we will, over the next five years to reverse the curve of the hearing and to win back viewers. I believe that today, no historical chain would risk such a commitment!

The group Arte has a budget of more than 400 million euros (250 million for France). Is it normal in view of its audience?

Arte is a chain serving the Franco-German broadcast in both countries and whose mission is to produce works (fiction, documentaries, films, live shows …). Which necessarily more expensive.In addition, because of bilingualism, Arte can not be a TV stream as simultaneous translation is simply unbearable for viewers.

Your audience is close to 60 years. What will you do to rejuvenate?

There is no question of rejuvenating the audience but to expand it. We find in fact that the same programs that are viewed on our antenna by more than 55 years seduce our site arte.tv 40 years. In other words, these are not programs that age the hearing but the media. I hope so much courage to all those whose strategy based on a rejuvenation of their audience on television! With Arte, we believe that if we suffered on TNT, Internet will save us.

As for the grid, we will work by step, our goal this year is the access to work and then we will address the day gradually up towards midday.

What are the developments on the Internet?

Arte has always been way ahead of the Internet, as evidenced also the success of Arte + 7, our catch-up TV, Arte Live Web, our platform for concerts and live performances, and Arte Creative devoted to art. Today, viewers may find this offer via mobile applications. We will amplify this group policy by continuing to create specific content for the Web. The recent history proves audiovisual Arte must not remain isolated but create a "group" around its antenna.We plan to create three other platforms that could be spent, for example, environment, film and history.

In 2012 and 2013, we will focus on the production of hybrid programs that can be broadcast in television and declined at the same time on the Internet. So we will keep our lead on the connected TV is a blessing to us! It will enable us to attract a wider audience in television and offer a more demanding public and sharp versions of these programs, all on the same screen. At the same time, we will work to relinéarisation part of our program digital platforms to allow viewers to create their own channels Web2.0.

Some accuse you of being more a chain of discovery.What do you say?

Given the history of the chain, it was normal to do work of historical reconciliation between our two countries. That's why the story has long been the focus of programming Arte. Today, there is no reason not to add more in this chain. We must look at the world. Otherwise, Arte no sense in relation to public expectations. The discovery programs are quite a place on Arte.

It is a small revolution for the station and its customers: under a decree published this summer in a discreet and identified by Challenges.fr, the railway company could now set its prices much more freely. Gone are the peak and normal periods, the timing was officially recorded in advance and who presided over the setting of tariffs.

"The decree allows to adjust the price cap to the station for the gradual opening to competition of the railway market," says the text. Clearly, to boost the attractiveness and profitability of the public entity within the opening to competition of the European network, SNCF should be able to offer its customers a range of rates much larger, developed based on supply and demand.

Rate increases on the crowded trains

The gain to consumers is mixed.On some busy routes, these new capabilities would enable the public body to go beyond the current full price of the second class in rush hour fast cash without a hassle. Holidaymakers taking TGV lines busy for example will be expected to pay more. However, for trains shunned by customers, the SNCF would be allowed to go below rates currently charged to attract new passengers.

Such liberalization was requested by the SNCF to the government at the end of last year, in return for the introduction of a tax to finance inter-deficient lines. Neither station nor the government have so far expressed on the subject.Signatory to the decree, the Minister of Transport, Thierry Mariani, was at the time held that freedom of the SNCF tariff should remain regulated, "in that competition does not really exist."

According to Challenges, consumer groups such as FNAUT will be formally consulted before the application of the decree, "probably in the fall."

Faced with bronce generated by the project operators to end unlimited Internet packages fixed, two questions remain suspens.Premièrement, who are these "netgoinfres" very heavy users of Internet operators that want coach? Opinions differ. "These are 5 to 10% of consumers who use 80% of the bandwidth. They are found in all countries. The population is fairly limited, "says Yves Le Mouël, Director General of the Federation of Telecom.

In Focus: the "geek" who downloads movies and massive music, spends time on YouTube and Dailymotion. "They are also SMEs with a standard Internet connection and download all day, they are hotels or student residences," said an executive at one operator.

David Charles, president and founder of MVNO Prixtel, but rather the fault of television over the Internet.Growing, it smoothly, he said, the networks. "If we want to free up bandwidth, it must be stopped. The TV is made to switch to TNT, especially since the state has paid dearly for the setting up in France. "

Edouard Barreiro, association UFC-Que Choisir, goes further. For him, "the netgoinfres, these are all of us." "During the day fixed networks are not busy. But they explode in the evening when everyone comes home from work, watch movies, videos, updates made its Apple … We all do the same thing at the same time, he says.Talking netgloutons is an excuse not to make the investments. "

Amend contracts

Operators deny it, but if they decided to go into action, could they change the current contracts? "Yes, it's Chatel law: an operator can easily change its offer, but the client is then free to go free, as was the case during the episode of the VAT," said Edouard Barreiro. Clearly, either the consumer accepts the new conditions, it is part.

But leave her Internet provider is not as easy as changing mobile operator. First, we must do without the Internet for about two weeks. Second, number portability works well on mobile remains fragile on the set. "Things are going well when you leave France Telecom to another operator.But when we leave SFR example, sometimes you lose his number, "said Edouard Barreiro. Finally, it must also return the box and be reimbursed for the possible bond. Not so simple!

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