Archive for the ‘features’ Category

The billions that Greece owes to France

May 15, 2012 - 6:40 pm Comments Off

 

If Greece came out of the euro area, the country would enter into an inextricable chaos. It would not be alone in suffering: the countries of the euro area would lose the billions they have loaned him since 2010 for the shoot of the rut. Indeed, Athens would reimburse probably not what it owes them. In this hypothesis, the two largest economies in the region, Germany and France would lose the most.

If Greece were to fail in mid-June, the French government should write off 50 billion "net," said the outgoing Minister of Economy Baroin. According to calculations of Figaro.fr, this amount could rise to 58.5 billion euros. This is 895 euros per French, or almost 3% of what the country produces in a year. Germany would lose directly, as calculated by the magazine Wirtschaft Woche, 76.6 billion euros and all the European institutions, nearly 302 billion euros, according to figures released by the rating agency Fitch.

Concerning France, the amount includes bilateral loans in the forefront of European aid (11.4 billion between 2010 and 2011). What must be added the participation of France in the second program, launched in early 2012, 15 billion euros granted through the firewall European, that is to say, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). The whole is 26.4 billion euros of direct exposure of France to Greece.

In addition to these funds, France should meet, at least in part, the losses suffered by the European Central Bank (ECB) under its importance within the euro area. At the height of the crisis, the guardian of the single currency has indeed bought in the markets for 40 billion euros of Greek debt, according to Fitch payday advance lender. If Athens were to fail, the ECB should say goodbye to that amount. France would then bail out of 8.9 billion euros. The same mechanism, it may have to recapitalize the International Monetary Fund (1.6 billion euros).

The bill gets heavier over time

More indirectly, France may have to refinance the network of central banks in the euro area, again according to its economic importance, either to the tune of 22.2 billion euros (calculated by Fitch). Indeed, the Greek central bank has accumulated 106 billion of financial compensation to its European counterparts, according to the rating agency.

The slate of the Greek state vis-à-vis France stretches over months, while assistance payments keep coming. Suddenly, one observer, "more a Greek bankruptcy would occur later, the more it would be costly to its partners." The EFSF must still pay 75.9 billion euros by 2014, the International Monetary 28.2 billion euros, according to calculations by analysts of the bank Credit Suisse. If Greece is in the euro area, it will begin to repay the loans from France and other partners from 2020 … and over a period of between 20 and 30.

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Holland against the Greek case

May 7, 2012 - 10:08 am Comments Off

 

The thorny issue of Greece is further complicated with the rise of extremism in the parliamentary elections. And subsequently also in reaction to the election of Francois Hollande, Asian stock markets retreat this morning instead of Tokyo lost more than 2.6% in mid-session after being closed since Wednesday, the Hong Kong 2 , 4% at the same time the Shanghai index posted a loss of more moderate 0.3%. The doubts surrounding a possible policy change in Europe also weighed on the euro. The single currency dropped below the $ 1.30 early this morning, exactly at 1.298 dollars and 103.63 yen against 104.46 rating yen Friday night.

Japan will "closely monitor" the debates in Europe following the recent elections, said this morning the spokesman of the Japanese government, Osamu Fujimura. "The developments of the European economy significantly affect our economy," he said at a news conference. Greek and folder should be quickly put on the European agenda and the new president of the French Republic, Francois Hollande.

The thrust of extremist parties in Greece could indeed prevent the two major parties to maintain their position in the Greek Parliament. The new political situation poses a risk to the continuation of the austerity measures, a factor that could jeopardize the plan of assistance granted to the country. In fact, the parties opposed to an increase in austerity-with-a neo-Nazi training have won 150 seats in parliament, or exactly half. The remaining 150 seats, less than the absolute majority of 151 seats, the two parties come together in a governing coalition, PASOK (Socialist) and New Democracy (right).  

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Greece plays its European future at the ballot box

May 5, 2012 - 4:44 pm Comments Off

 

In Athens,

In the land of Athena, the political wisdom does not really progress. After the euphoria fueled by thirty years of fiscal profligacy, the hurricane of the economic crisis and its attendant drastic austerity measures have devastated the morale of the Greeks. It is in this context they are called to vote for crucial general elections Sunday, the first since the trusteeship of the country by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A protest vote is more than ever on the agenda and many experts are worried about a coming political chaos in the country.

The thirty-two contending parties are divided into two camps. On the one hand, the "pro-memorandum," those who voted for and signed the austerity measures imposed on the country in exchange for two loans of 110 and 130 billion euros. Three parties are distinguished in this category: PASOK, Socialist Party headed by Evangelos Venizelos, former finance minister. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he is convinced that Greece is on track and ensures a crisis in the next four years. New Democracy (ND), Conservative Party, whose leader, Antonis Samaras, is leading in the polls, has primarily to renegotiate the terms of the memorandum by betting on the revival and development of the economy. Finally, the Democratic Collaboration Dora Bakoyannis, former Foreign Minister, may see his party not to cross the 3% threshold to enter parliament.

For Giannis Panousis, professor of criminology at the University of Athens, these parties may pay their hypocrisy. "The major parties say they have the solution for overcoming the crisis, while everyone knows that this is not viable. Even before the polls are open, public creditors remind the country that we will have € 11.5 billion of budget savings in the next two months. That means more job losses and new taxes, "he analyzes.

So, the vast majority of candidates appear in the opposite camp, the "anti-memorandum." They denounce the exact figures of sovereign debt, the trusteeship and loss of sovereignty. They rely on the record figures of unemployment and recession to convince the most disadvantaged and the young, depressed by the lack of future. Apart from the Communist Party (KKE), who wants to see Greece leave the European Union as soon as possible, the parties "anti-rigor" consider the place of Greece in the euro area as a given unbeatable. "They can not exclude us, otherwise there will be a domino effect and will be in a very bad position," quips Panagiotaros Ilias, number two Chryssi Avgi, "Golden Dawn" violent far-right group which expected to enter parliament for the first time.

In campaign rally in the Peloponnese, he assured his constituents that in addition to return all illegal immigrants in the country he will veto any legislation introduced to Parliament if they do not defend the interests of the Hellenes. "We do not need these bailouts which in reality are not. Greek debt is sustainable, but we pay the speculations of the great capitalists, "he says. Rhetoric that brings. Many supporters of this group recognize that ideology does not differ greatly from that of the far-left parties, "more patriotic".

Risk of paralysis

"Greece for the Greeks" is a slogan that is also found in the clan Panos Kammenos, leader of the Greeks independent. Surfing also on the crisis and desperation of the Greeks, the former Conservative wants to build on the country's natural resources to repay debt. He admits to not being away from ideas of Syriza, left-wing coalition led by Alexis Tsipras, also rose sharply in the polls.

If Greece is found unable to form a majority government coalition or Sunday, the risk of paralysis is real. "The instability will result when a violent change of political system as a whole and lead very quickly to new elections. The country can not be governed effectively as the situation requires it, "said political analyst Antonis Karakousis. "The question is whether the country can support a political crisis over the economic crisis or whether we will go, as some fear, toward a financial disaster and a danger to the sovereignty of Greece." ……. .

This may especially endanger the European reforms undertaken so far and very controversial in the population. Hence the concern of the country's creditors, which would like the Greeks realize that Greece plays its European future at the ballot box.

Globalization for the giants of fashion

April 21, 2012 - 9:32 pm Comments Off

 

"There is no market in the world where one can say that our expansion is complete." Signed Thomas Lourenco, owner of H & M France, this assertion could be pronounced with the same assurance by his peers Zara, Gap and Uniqlo. From New York to Shanghai through Roanne and Cape Town, the four largest clothing retailers in the world are opening every year by hundreds of shops.

Spanish Zara, Swedish H & M, Gap and American Japanese Uniqlo are all facing the same problem: on their home market, the sales growth slows, when it is not negative. "Diversifying internationally is an emergency, insists Luca Solca, head of research at CA Cheuvreux Europe. The economic slowdown, particularly in southern Europe, is likely to be higher than expected. "

Zara and H & M are still dependent on Europe for more than half of their sales, while Gap focuses 68% of its activity in the United States. Last year, the benefits of Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company, they have been sealed by its poor profitability in Japan, where the brand 80% of its sales. The Japanese group has up its sales targets for this year, but its growth (14% to EUR 9 billion) will come mainly from abroad.

Uniqlo and its three main competitors have no choice but to accelerate in emerging markets, starting with the most promising, China. In 2011, Inditex (Zara's parent company) has opened 156 stores and is 400 by the end of the year. Decided to carry more than half its sales outside Japan within four years, Fast Retailing plans to open 100 stores in Asia this year, including 80 in China, before doubling the pace in 2013. The Japanese want to pass Zara and H & M in China, where Gap has to spend 15 to 45 stores this year.

Adaptation of forms and colors of clothing

The four giant jacked and on other emerging markets. H & M has just opened in Mexico, Thailand, Latvia. Swedish now eyeing South Africa, where Zara plans to open in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Spanish also investing Australia, Taiwan and Peru. The Gap American ventures in South America, via Chile.

Uniqlo also hunt on the land of origin of its rivals. After all, Europe is still, by value, the first in the world market for clothing. The Japanese also sees the potential in the United States. After opening two "flagships" in New York, he announced a first store in San Francisco, and an innovation center and offices to handle logistics and human resources. It plans to open hundreds of stores in the United States, seeing a market of $ 10 billion by 2020. H & M, which opened 200 stores in the U.S. since 2000, and Zara, which has 47, can not take the risk that the Japanese enjoy one of the disappointments of Gap in the U pay day loans.S..

Neither group can not abandon its traditional market, the risk of yielding market share. Zara and H & M and continue their offensive in France. The Spaniard will land in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) after the summer; Swedish invests him with smaller cities like Roanne (Loire).

This conquest accelerated on every continent requires the giants of fashion to reshape their strategy and working methods. Paradoxically, refining collections is relatively simple. They remain in effect to 80% common to all countries. Zara added a size XXS for Japan, Gap smaller sizes in Shanghai, "where people are smaller," and other major Beijing … H & M has dedicated her clothes formatted in the UAE.

Brands also avoid sending too much green (color of the husband or wife cheated) and white (color of mourning) in Asia, and juggling the short or long sleeves at the option of climates. Lines of spring H & M are adorned with pastel colors, such as Uniqlo, yet partisan bright colors. Blades are apparently more seyants skinned fashionistas Chinese very well and flatter your tan Europeans. Globalization can sometimes synergies in the colors …

Higher prices by 30% in the Chinese market

For now, the Chinese conquest of clients has not changed the procurement strategies of the giants of fashion. They have responded to higher cotton and wages in China. H & M still produces most of its collections in Asia, but increasingly in Bangladesh. Uniqlo stocks up 80% in China, but part of its production is relocated to Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Zara, meanwhile, increased its production in Asia and will continue this strategy. But "we will always maintain at least 50% of our supplies in Europe," says a manager of Zara, whose production is mainly located in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. This asset can deliver within 24 hours of Europe, and in little more time in Asia, where customers are fond of European products.

Result of this procurement strategy, the giants of fashion practiced in China prices averaged 30% greater than those displayed in Europe, partly because of taxes and customs duties. So, high prices encourage Chinese purchasing power remains low, to consider Zara, H & M and Uniqlo brand as "premium". "This will force these retailers to improve their quality," says a consultant. Or, conversely, to harmonize their prices. "Especially since they are exposed to local competitors, the European-sounding names, such as Hong Kong's Giordano, much cheaper," says Anne-Laure LINGET, the Federation of knitwear and lingerie. In China, the war between Zara, H & M and Uniqlo may be more complicated than elsewhere.

The jobs in gold and other …

April 20, 2012 - 7:08 pm Comments Off

 

High school students and students seeking a future career or employees looking for your conversion, go to CareerCast.com. You'll find 12 jobs in gold favored by the Americans, but also those to avoid at all costs because of their low growth prospects, levels of remuneration, the stress function or quality of the environment working.

Among the jobs to avoid at all costs, across the Atlantic, the lumberjack (dangerous, poorly paid and endangered) of dairy farmer or a soldier! Other trades that are no longer dreaming, perhaps because of their poor prospects for hiring in the coming years, that of a journalist in a newspaper or radio reporter

. Trades dream

Conversely, the best job for the Americans is that of a computer engineer. The salary range is between 55,000 and 133,000 dollars, with an average salary level of 88,000 dollars high risk personal loans. About the prospects of hiring, they are important short-medium term. Other "dream jobs", actuaries and human resource managers (whose development prospects are greater than 20% per year by 2020) hold the rope.

These positions correspond to business students that dreams are made of this side of the Atlantic? Several surveys have been conducted in recent years on this subject, with sometimes surprising results. 18-25 The overwhelmingly popular crafts such as actor, ambassador, singer or airline pilot. While others see themselves as secret agent, a successful writer … or supermodel.

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The car manufacturers want to save fuel

April 17, 2012 - 11:32 am Comments Off

 

The final product of the electric range of Renault, the ZOE, will be launched in September. It will complement the Fluence, Kangoo ZE and Twizy.

Electric cars are the most striking example of the efforts made by manufacturers and their suppliers to reduce vehicle fuel consumption. "The first reason for this trend is the cost of fuel for consumers," acknowledges Sébastien Amichi, partner at Roland Berger.

Second reason: the regulation. In Europe, Brussels will impose financial penalties on manufacturers based on grams of CO2 emitted per kilometer traveled. The purpose is to emit less than 130 grams per vehicle range, on average, end of 2015 and less than 95 grams in 2020.

The major manufacturers put a lot of money on the table to achieve this. "We spent 500 million euros over five years to develop our range of diesel hybrid," explained William Faury, Director of R & D of PSA Peugeot Citroen to launch this range. For him, the PSA group spends "50% of its R & D to reduce emissions."

"The range of opportunities for manufacturers is extremely broad," says Sebastian Amichi. Electrification to-tal and is the last rung of the ladder, which passes through the microhybridation (the system startup "Stop and Start"), all hybrid, popularized by To-Yota with its Prius, or the Hybrid.

The success of these different modes of consumption reduction is difficult to determine. If PwC expects 1% of electric vehicles worldwide in 2017, Roland Berger is considering a rate of 4 to 5% in 2020. The use and type of vehicles used can also play. "In the U.S., where there are very few and very large diesel vehicles, the hybridization rate could be much higher than that achieved in Europe," says Sebastian and Amichi.

Lighter vehicles

Electrification is not the only point on which manufacturers and suppliers work. Weight is also a field of expression of the fight against pollution. "Reducing the weight of a car saves 10 kilograms 1 gram of CO2 per kilometer," says Lawrence and Burelle, CEO of Plastic Omnium.

The steel is still very present in cars, but it is increasingly challenged by other materials such as aluminum or composite. The French Plastic Omnium, the world's leading manufacturer of bumpers and tanks, has invested 10 million euros in its R & D Sygmatech, near Lyon, to strengthen its expertise in the field.

Proof of this relief strategy: the new Peugeot 208, launched a few weeks ago, is lighter than its predecessor, the 207. This is a first for a compact vehicle.

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Taxes: what lies ahead!

April 14, 2012 - 8:24 pm Comments Off

 

"Ask the fiscal program of Sarkozy!

"Ask the fiscal program of Holland!

It speaks only of "it": family, friends, in shops, on leaving school … Less candidates in the presidential election evoke, he obsesses over the French. "It" is the higher taxes will fall on taxpayers in the coming months. For if not all are promised the same tax hell, few people are certain to escape. ISF for VAT through the income tax, local taxes or the CSG, all candidates for president – without exception! – Promise to raise taxes. More than seven in ten French expect, according to our survey Opinion Way – Fiducial.

Recognizing the need to redress the public accounts, the French are frankly skeptical about how go about policies. According to our survey, 83% believe it would be better to start by addressing the reduction of public expenditure. Las … Both favorites of 6 May, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, have detailed these days their tax proposals, which leave little doubt about their intentions.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

Side of the president candidate, it is argued that the rebalancing of accounts goes to three quarters by controlling public spending. Higher taxes will do that for one quarter. Moreover, it adds in the entourage of the head of state, the bulk of tax increases has already been voted. In recent months, 32 billion in new revenues were indeed acts by Parliament and began to take effect. It is largely due to the increase in the tax burden that France was able to record a deficit lower than expected in 2011: 5.2% of GDP instead of 5.7% originally expected.

The reduced VAT rate increased from 5.5 to 7% in late December (except for staples). Social charges on savings have been identified, tax loopholes, planed, and an outstanding contribution is requested with the highest incomes. A total of 11 billion euros of additional levies on households' most-favored "have been decided," because the solidarity required "at this time of crisis, Nicolas Sarkozy justified in his Letter to the French. How to respond to the argument of "tax giveaways to the rich made" repeated by his opponents to long speeches.

Conspicuously absent from the count of the president candidate, rising by 1.6 percentage points of VAT, already passed, is expected to come into force on 1 October. "It is not a levy increase, as it will be fully offset by reductions in social charges on low wages," says one of his entourage. Not sure this is enough to convince the French, skeptical of this "social VAT" (52% opposed, according to our survey).

Nevertheless, it remains to be Nicolas Sarkozy another 8 billion euros to find to meet its goal of a return to 3% deficit next year. But the UMP candidate has promised if re-elected, "no tax increase will weigh on households', except the famous" tax on tax exiles, "which he expects 500 to 700,000,000 euros year.

tax reform is the No. 1 priority of Holland

With Francois Hollande, however, taxpayers will not have completed the tax increases. If elected, the Socialist candidate wants to make tax reform the "mother of all reforms" of his five years. He warned that the tax burden would contribute half the recovery of accounts of the country and announced a forty billion of new taxes, of which 16 billion would weigh on individuals, especially the "most affluent". The team of the socialist candidate is careful to note that these increases would be added to those of M. Sarkozy … because, apart from the increase in VAT on books (from 5.5% to 7% since April 1) and the "social VAT", the PS candidate does not come back on measures already enacted.

By the summer, according to its "road map" published on April 4, Parliament would be asked to vote shock measures announced during the campaign, such as capping of tax loopholes to 10,000 euros per year, great tranche of 75% for revenues of over EUR 1 million, but the end of the tax exemption of overtime.

Despite this clarification in the calendar, remains a big blur of headlights more ads. For example: measures of higher taxes on income, such as super-slice or ceiling niches, would come into effect this year or January 1, 2013? The tax on millionaires would it apply to income tax or the home, such as tax practitioners presentiment, by hand? What about the ISF – payable in June – that Francois Hollande plans to burden? Would it be postponed until September? Is there a tax shield to 85% of income as suggested by the candidate? His entourage of these questions is swept out of hand: "These are questions for a budget minister, not a candidate as president." Tuesday, Michel Sapin, in charge of the socialist project, said the super slice to 75% would last "as long" as the recovery of the finances of France require.

Beware of leaving headquarters

Meanwhile, it was panic. Tax consulting firms claim to be inundated with requests for expatriation. "There is a before and after 75%," says a Parisian tax. Unprecedented fact, artists stamped on the left as Jamel Debbouze have spread in the media against proposed tax of Holland. Francoise Hardy has even been suggested (Paris Match 5 April) that it would move to London if they win socialist. Not sure that her friend is still a rose … Especially as the Socialist candidate, in reply, accused the stars of "whining" about their taxes! But the Dutch team, in private, multiplies the reassuring statements. The super slice? This is to "send a signal to the bosses of the CAC 40 and their extravagant salaries," they say. Everything will be done to protect athletes and artists (how? Mystery, equal taxation is a constitutional principle sacrosanct).

And for everyone else? For the Socialist tax plan, if passed as is, would increase the rating of millions of taxpayers, far beyond a few hundred privileged, as shown by simulations that we have asked the Cabinet Delsol Lawyers. Certainly, large estates and high income are at the forefront. But they are not alone.

Take the alignment of taxation of capital income on those work. This provision "could have important implications for public shareholding," warns Mathieu Le Tacon, Delsol of Lawyers, which states that dividends are already taxed once at the corporate income tax (33.3%) in the company before being taxed at the shareholder. The taxation of overtime? It will affect many employees, and 235,000 teachers who have won, thanks to them, additional one billion euros last year.

The portal of Orange enters the OJD

April 11, 2012 - 11:36 am Comments Off

 

Small revolution in the OJD, which is one step closer to seeing his measures of attendance on the Internet more recognized by the market. In its ranking of websites in March, the body that certifies the mailing of printed and digital press titles in France is hosting for the first time the orange.fr portal, one of the earliest in the hexagon with Google, Yahoo! and MSN.

Gateway to the telecom operator arrives directly at the head of the most popular sites last month, with over 450 million visits. The OJD measure all connections to the site (the "site-centric"), that is to say the number of visits and page views, without deduplicate visits on the same site by the same user. "We do not say in front of a screen but we certify the figures reported by the sites, which are the comprehensive measure of attendance," explained Stephane Bodier Bartement and Patrick, President and CEO of OJD. With the exception of Marianne, VOD or Humanity, all brand sites releases are already certified by the OJD.

Qualify hearings

The organization hopes that this will arrive in others, notably those of Yahoo! and MSN, which should seek, also, to certify their attendance. Google, which has developed its own measurement tool, Google Analytics, for its part could choose to stay out of the movement.

But there on the market another way of measuring the digital world personal business card. This is the tool with its Médiamétrie NetRatings ("user-centric") which, by observing a panel of 25,000 Internet users, to qualify (age, occupational status, etc..). The challenge now is to combine the best of both measures. Médiamétrie and OJD announced in early March signed an agreement for the supply by the second to the first of its basic results "site-centric." This merger of the two measures should allow the hearings to describe and measure, for example, the loyalty of Internet sites. It will materialize in June, with the publication of results by Médiamétrie Internet audience in April, via a hybrid measure that integrates both data and those of OJD, but also on the results of websites measured by Médiamétrie-eStat and certified by the OJD. "This agreement will help provide a market-based results more accurate and consistent," said Médiamétrie.

In the longer term, it will find tools to accompany the rise of advertising offers Web-coupled television. Médiamétrie talks with Google for the establishment of a study that would bring together data from television audience of those with Médiamat Internet.

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The gas leak is costing Total 2 million per day

April 3, 2012 - 11:12 am Comments Off

 

One million dollars per day, or 750,000 euros. Such is the cost of operations by Total to plug the leak on board its platform Elgin, North Sea, said Monday its chief financial officer Patrick de la Chevardière. Added to this bill a loss of $ 1.5 million each day (1.12 million) which corresponds to the cessation of production from fields adjoining the Elgin and Franklin, for a total cost estimated to about 1.9 million euros. These two deposits, located 240 kilometers off the coast of Aberdeen in Scotland, representing 2% of the total hydrocarbon production.

The company was still awaiting the green light Monday from the British authorities to dispatch technicians on the platform, removed a week earlier. Total will begin simultaneously on the one hand, to "kill" the leaking wells at the platform, out of the water, and, secondly, to drill two relief wells Faxless payday loans. If the first operation, "relatively easy", according to Patrick Chevardière, successful, drilling (at least 100 million euros and six months of work) will be useless.

According to Total, gas, mainly methane, disperses quickly in the air. Only 7m3 of condensate (light oil such as gasoline) are currently prevalent in sea Greenpeace, arrived on Monday with a vessel area, intend to verify these statements.

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Which increases from 1 April this

April 1, 2012 - 1:32 pm Comments Off

 

There are increases that hurt the wallet, and others are welcome. The April 1 announcement of more good news than bad.

• Pensions

Pensions of the general (civil servants and private employees) rose 2.1% from the 1st April. A decision expected. A few days ago the joint supplementary pension schemes AGIRC (executives) and Arrco (all employees) have also taken account of inflation higher than expected in 2011 and have upgraded the pensions of 2.3%.

In a joint statement the Ministers of Economy, Baroin, and Labour Xavier Bertrand pointed out that the pension increases took into account inflation in 2012 (1.8%, revised upwards) and inflation recorded in late 2011 (2.1%) a differential of 0.3%.

• Minimum age

The minimum age knows him, a stronger increase of 4.7% and is increased to 777.16 euros per month for a single person and 1,237 euros for a couple. The minimum pension which is paid to 400,000 pensioners the most modest, however, does not yet live above the poverty line which is 954 euros per month for a single person. The proportion of the population living below the poverty line is 13.5%. During the five year period the allowance will be increased by 25% as promised by Nicolas Sarkozy.

• Disabled adult allowance

The disabled adult allowance (AAH) passes almost 760 euros on April 1st, up 2.2%. Accordance with the promise of Nicolas Sarkozy to the upgrade of 25% for the duration of his five years, the AAH "and go to 759.98 euro 743.62 euro per month against current" and "a second revaluation of 2.19% , take place on 1 September, "said recently the Ministry of Solidarity. It would then amount to 776.59 euros per month, or 155.32 euros more than in 2007. The AAH was seen by 915,000 people in late 2010.

• Family benefits

Family benefits increased by 1% (including family allowances, grants for child care, the allowance for school …). Previously, family benefits were revalued on 1 January. But last year, the government had rejected the revaluation at 1 April, making 130 million euros in savings.

In addition, as part of austerity measures, it was decided that family benefits are not adjusted according to inflation but growth. The expected savings are 400 million euros for 2012 and 500 million for 2013. Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that this would be limited to one year.

• VAT on books

After construction and restaurants, it's time to see their books go this Sunday VAT by 5.5% to 7%. Increases announced in fall 2011 and denounced by the booksellers, whose business is already one of the least profitable. At the Book Fair, the PS candidate Francois Hollande said it intends to reduce its rates "from 7 to 5.5%" if elected, to "defend the digital book at one price" and "protect the rights Copyright and the network of booksellers. "

Booksellers manifest on April 28, between the two rounds of presidential elections, on the feast of the independent bookstore.

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