The general elections of May 6 did not yield a stable majority in the Vouli, the Greek Parliament, and after more than a week of negotiations President Karolos Papoulias had no recourse but the decree for a new vote.

This political crisis seemed to favor the Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza) opposite to the austerity measures advocated by the EU and the IMF and supported by a growing fringe of the population. 

But since the new elections, the conservative New Democracy (ND) replicate the advantage over their rivals Syriza.

A survey, conducted between March 15 and May 17, credits the Conservatives of 26.1% of the vote while the Left Coalition would get 23.7% of the vote.

With such a result, the left would have 123 of the 300 parliamentary seats, a premium of 50 representatives being granted automatically to the leading party.

ND could then count on the extra PASOK (Socialist), in sharp loss of hearing for several weeks, which would get 41 seats. A union of these two formations that support the European austerity plan would produce a majority in Parliament.

Last week, an opinion poll gave the advantage to Syriza, took second on May 6, which raised fears of bankruptcy on Public Accounts, and an exit scenario of euro area was considered likely by the European partners.

Syriza seems to pay his unwillingness to serve in a unity government in negotiations with Papoulias.

This change in voting intentions are not satisfied yet the fears of Europe.

Sign of this concern, the British company De La Rue, which prints banknotes for over 150 national currencies, has scheduled an emergency plan to print drachmas in the case where the output of the euro area would inevitable. 

The need to provide in a short time a considerable amount of paper currency could force the Greek authorities to turn to private companies to complete the production of printing national.

EUROPE BOARD OF MULTIPLE SCENARIOS

For now, the European Central Bank (ECB) said strong support to the maintenance of Greece in the eurozone.

"Our preference is clearly in favor of a continuation of Greece into the euro," said Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, who must leave the Executive Board of the ECB at the end of May , adding that the European bank does not "describe in detail" the scenario of an output of Greece. 

The EU trade commissioner, Karel de Gucht, however, announced in an interview published Friday that the European Commission and the ECB worked on various scenarios. This is the first statement by a senior European official confirming the existence of such plans.

"There is one and a half, the risk of domino effect could have existed," said De Gucht Belgian Flemish daily De Standaard. "But today there are, both within the European Central Bank and European Commission services working in emergency scenarios where Greece can not do it. "

"An output of Greece does not mean the end of the euro, as some claim," he added.

Karel De Gucht says he believes that Greece will remain in the euro but emphasizes that the decisive question before the elections of June 17 is whether the ECB will ask what conditions to guarantee the liquidity of banks.

This position was confirmed by a spokesman for the German Ministry of Finance stated that Berlin was preparing for all eventualities.

"For two years we have done everything possible to keep Greece in the euro area (…) The German government obviously has the responsibility to its citizens to be ready for any eventuality, "she said

….. Wednesday …. Christine Lagarde, Executive Director of the IMF acknowledged that the international institution was preparing "technically" at an output of Greece

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Greek Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos said Tuesday that Greece should "alas" return to parliamentary elections, in principle within one month, without an agreement on forming a coalition government.

"We're going back to the elections in a few days, in very bad conditions," said Mr. Venizelos, after a crucial meeting with four other political party leaders, convened by the Head of the State Karolos Papoulias. "The efforts of government formation have concluded without success," confirmed a statement from the presidency, played live by a journalist of public television Net.

Mr. Papoulias is to convene at 10:00 Wednesday the leaders of all parties to establish an interim government, charged with caretaker pending the holding of early parliamentary news. Tuesday's meeting was the last chance to form a government "personalities" to get the country out of political deadlock, which worries the European partners and creditors of Greece, EU and IMF. Participants at the meeting were the Conservative leader of New Democracy, Antonis Samaras, M. Venizelos and the leaders of the radical left Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, the Democratic Left, Fotis Kouvelis and training national-populist independent Greeks, Panos Kammenos. The neo-Nazi party there was not invited, and the Communists have declined the invitation.

"Greece is heading towards elections, the meeting did not yield results," said Mr. Kouvelis, after the end of the meeting. This leader had proposed "an ecumenical government" but because "the refusal of the party of the radical left Syriza, this government could not be established," he said. Greece has been trying for over a week to form a coalition government after no party won a majority in parliamentary elections on May 6.

Sales of cement, concrete and asphalt decreased by double digit percentages in Europe and the net profit after minority interests stood at 10 million Swiss francs (8.32 million euros), far from the 41.2 million expected by analysts polled by Reuters.

Revenues increased 2.2% to 4.76 billion Swiss francs, compared with 4.718 billion consensus giving.

"The harsh winter has resulted in numerous decisions of sites in Western and Eastern Europe in February," said the second world cement in a statement. 

Cement producers, firms in a particularly energy intensive, face higher costs of fuel and electricity.

Holcim said it could offset the rising costs by raising prices, but Africa and the Middle East. As Lafarge, he observed that the costs of energy and transport seemed to stabilize.

European competitors Holcim, Lafarge and whose German HeidelbergCement, have warned that they would fall under their prices to offset rising energy costs. Holcim said it reverberate cost increases caused by inflation.

The Swiss group, which generates more than half of its turnover in emerging markets, expects increased demand for building materials in Asia, Latin America, Russia and Azerbaijan this year. It also provides an increase in demand in North America.

The Conservative government of Mariano Rajoy provides a slight increase in gross domestic product next year and a 1.4% growth in 2014.

The Standard & Poor's downgraded Thursday by two steps the sovereign rating of Spain to bring it back to BBB +, only two notches above speculative grade ("junk") in highlighting the risk of recession on public finances deteriorate further.

Friday, the government said it expected to reduce the public deficit to 1.1% of GDP by 2015 from 2013 by renewing with a primary surplus (excluding debt service). 

To achieve this, he said, he will increase taxes on consumption next year to raise eight billion euros.

The debt / GDP will peak at 82.3% next year and to decline 81.5% in 2014.

The airline needs to spend a large order by the end of 2016 to reach its goal of doubling its capacity to 150 million passengers a year.

An order before the end of 2014 is unlikely, however, said Michael O'Leary told reporters.

The CEO of Ryanair also said that if his group paid a special dividend in respect of fiscal 2013, it does not pay a second in 2014.

Serge Kampf, aged 77, had reserved the option when renewing his term as CEO in 2010.

The Board of Directors of Capgemini, met on Wednesday, decided "to return to the classic formula of a CEO (and …) to appoint Mr. Paul Hermelin this function from the date of the next Annual General Meeting ", May 24, announced the leading European IT services, in a statement ..

……. Serge Kampf was appointed honorary president of Capgemini vice president and board to greet his "immense contribution" to a company he founded in 1967 and he led for 45 years

. In exchange, the action Capgemini earned a , 2% to 31.58 euros at 9:22, outperforming the CAC 40 (0.4%) and giving a market capitalization of 4.9 billion euros

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While the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris on Tuesday condemned the SNCF to pay a fine of 1,500 euros to a young woman who said she lost her job because of repeated delays related to the train, the rail group Tuesday presented the new "Travel Guarantee" supposed to restore the confidence of travelers. This is new information system and compensation for non-time performance of TGV trains and Intercity. It has six commitments agreed upon with a dozen consumer groups. SNCF think they should cost him about 50 million euros per year.

A full and immediate repayment after one hour late

If the train is canceled or fails to start after an hour late: SNCF will refund in full, immediately and in cash the ticket even if it is a ticket Prems, non-refundable and non exchangeable . Another possibility for the customer, always if the train is traveling with an hour late: to exchange their ticket at no extra charge, as is the case now. However, it will make the trip within 48 hours on the same route. "This is progress. SNCF becomes aware that the client should be compensated for the delays. It takes into consideration, "said Jean Lenoir, vice president of the FNAUT (The National Federation of Transport Users Associations, who participated in the development of this new system

. The Punctuality: new criterion in the purchase of the ticket

Another change, this time on the side of the passenger information: by buying his ticket, the customer will have access to on-time performance. Thanks a history of delays for each train on the last sixty days, he can make his choice in full knowledge of the facts, "according to the punctuality of trains before," noted Guillaume Pepy, SNCF president. New signage will be implemented: a TGV which is green, it's a train arrives on time, however, the red means that a train has accumulated problems of punctuality.

Moreover, the exact cause of delays over 15 minutes and their possible compensation, will be shown the next day's journey on the internet. This system adds to the existing system, namely a real-time information on schedules and traffic conditions, the station, by telephone at 3635 or infolignes.com.

Coupons from 10 to 30 euros if the journey is up

It is a well known system, the SNCF tickets issued by focusing on overbooked passengers will not show up. But sometimes it gets stuck: when boarding the train, many travelers find themselves without a seat or back seat. Now, the controller will do everything to find free places to ride than a 1:30 or even by putting the customer first class (even if traveling in seconds). If no space is available, the skipper will compensate the traveler from hand to hand by issuing travel vouchers 10, 20 or 30 euros, on account of the coming move. These discounts will be higher or lower depending on the distance traveled and the degree of discomfort.

Taxis when matching missed it

In case of large delay, if the client missed the match, the station "will do what she can so that it reaches its destination," said Jean Lenoir. Translation: it will pay a cab, will introduce bus replacement or new express trains.

Envelopes hourly guarantees to get off the train

The "envelopes schedule guarantees" are eligible for a partial refund of the ticket beyond half an hour late (between 25% and 75% of the price). They are usually distributed at the station. Problem is sometimes the obstacle course to get them. Suddenly, from 31 March, they will be systematically distributed off the train. Exit the long search on the platform.

A faster response by email

Last point: for any claim by mail, the SNCF is committed to responding within a maximum of five days for e-tickets (electronic tickets) from late March and will be extended to all tickets and all claims ( 600,000 per year by mail) by the end of 2012. In 2011, the SNCF has compensated 1.4 million records with a payment of € 21 million

The new scheme should apply from 31 March. Still, this "small cultural revolution" in the words of Guillaume Pepy will be limited to TGV trains and Intercity. But "it is rather small delay repeated every day which is frustrating. We therefore hope that this new system SNCF applies to other categories as well as the TER trains Transiliens," said Mr. Lenoir. Before proceeding, "there is a dissatisfaction with the accuracy of the trains, we expect the trains arrive before-just now, as was the case twenty years ago".

In Paris, in mid-session, the CAC 40 was down 0.8% at 3443.28 points. The Dax 30 yields 0.58% and the FTSE 0.47%. The index futures point to a New York opening on Wall Street rather indecisive.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen gained 0.9%. The French manufacturer announced it was studying with General Motors on the feasibility of development of common platforms for large segments of small sedans and minivans.

BT wins more than 5%. The British telecoms operator plans to pay two billion pounds into its pension fund as part of a new nine-year plan more advantageous for shareholders.

The French government raised its economic growth forecast for 2012 to 0.7%, against 0.5% previously, and was lowered to 1.75% for 2013, against 2.0%, said Minister of Economy Baroin. This announcement follows the revision by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), its growth forecast to 0% in the first quarter and 0.2% in the second quarter of 2012.

Moreover, the overall business climate in France has improved significantly in March, to 95 points, an increase of 4 points, according to INSEE.

In the U.S., the indicator of new home sales will allow investors to refine their expectations of recovery in the industry and the economy in general.

The chief executive of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Philippe Varin, said Wednesday that his group would support an EU action to reduce surplus production capacity, estimated at at least 20% by many analysts and industry executives.

In his view, European leaders have every incentive to emulate the U.S. experience in recent years.

"Policies should support the industry when it needs to be restructured," he said. "If you look at what happened in the U.S. during the crisis, there was very strong support from the U.S. government."

ACEA, the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers, discussed at the Geneva show ways to increase its lobbying in favor of such action.

"We can not continue forever to treat problems of the automobile at the national level," said its secretary general, Ivan Hodac, in a interview with Reuters. "We need a solution across the EU. But it is not easy. "

Such a strategy, it is modeled on the aviation consortium EADS or that it is inspired by the steel restructuring, would not fail to encounter opposition from some national governments anxious to preserve industrial employment in their territory …… The problem

… however risks worsen following the free trade agreement with South Korea came into force last July, which boosts the sales of South Korean manufacturers

. They have exported 438,767 vehicles to the EU in 2011 while he No 'have imported only 78,762, according to official statistics. Enough to feed the concerns of ACEA in view of similar agreements between the EU and India, Japan and Mercosur.

"Slippery slope"

"If we continue to open our borders without being able to access markets in other countries, we are on a slippery slope," said Ivan Hodac.

ACEA has not yet drafted proposals for a plan for the sector, he said, but argued insistently concerned with European Commissioners s in recent days.

The President of ACEA, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat, should discuss the future free trade agreements on March 20 during a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner, officials said in Geneva. 

"Marchionne has made the comparison with the steel sector. What would be useful is a relaxation in the EU-wide dismissal procedures, thereby reducing their cost "said one analyst who declined to be identified.

"This is a problem that falls within the EU because the EU introduces a lot of limits on CO2 that increase costs and because the EU is negotiating trade agreements with Asian countries. This is the EU to determine which plants should be closed and then provide the funding. "

L announcement last week of the alliance between General Motors and PSA has of course fueled the debate and the concerns of employees, who fear mass retrenchments.

"I do not see why people would agree to see better close their plant because it is Europe that the request, especially as manufacturers and the Union have a responsibility as they played on the disparities between labor costs in Western Europe, South and East, "said ; Reuters Lelasseux Xavier, CFDT representative at PSA. 

EUROPE TO THE RESCUE

"Manufacturers have used EU subsidies to create overcapacity, and now they would call Europe to the rescue for it helps to cut jobs? It would be better to fight to make fairer competition with Asian countries. "

A restructuring orchestrated by the EU would bypass the risk that restructuring aid considered as state aid, the analyst adds.

However, all ACEA members are not convinced by such a strategy.

"I claim absolutely no public support", told Bernhard Mattes, head of the German subsidiary of Ford. "Corporate restructuring should be carried out by companies."

For his part, Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Renault and Nissan, has predicted that the first restructuring measures could pave the way for a series of plant closures.

All European manufacturers are suffering from problems of overcapacity, he said. "But when someone in Europe could be a major restructuring, it will require all automakers to do likewise."

Rising rents would be over? The question is legitimate. Because after an increase slowed in all of 2011 (1.6%), against 2.5% in 2010 – the rents are down 0.1% on the first two months of the year . To figures released Tuesday by the observatory Clamor, which includes donors, agency networks and professional organizations. Here's to remember the private rental market "anxious and depressed" according to the observatory.

The activity of the rental market back

After having recovered in 2011, residential mobility, ie the proportion of housing tenants changing folds in the year beginning 2012. Consequently, the number of rental accommodation decreased by 5.1%. In practical terms, this represents less than 80,000 units over the period from 2010 to 2011. Chief among the regions where mobility is the highest: Brittany, Franche Comté, the Loire and Limousin, where it is around 10%. Conversely, the mobility is around 5% in the Ile-de-France, Picardy, Poitou-Charentes and Languedoc Roussillon. In contrast, residential mobility was down by just 2% in Champagne-Ardennes and Rhone-Alpes.

Rents are moving down

Tenants no longer dared to hope: rent prices are falling. The figure is symbolic for the time since the erosion is only 0.1% and only affects the first two months of the year. But gone are the days where residents had not experienced a decrease in rents. Between 1998 and 2012, average rents increased by 2.9% per year. In 2011, the increase was more reasonable 1.6%.

So why do they fall early this year? Due to a request "hesitant" household. As proof, the period of vacancy-time to find another tenant-lengthens. Another factor is the deterioration of the labor market, worry and purchasing power at half-mast. But lower rents differs depending on the city, but also the surface of the well. Over the full year, the rents would "stagnate or show a small increase," predicted Clamor.

The average price falls to € 12.4 m2

In 2011, the average rent accounted for 12.5 euros per square meter. It is the euro to 12.4 m2 in 2012, but it varies widely from city to city. Among cities of more than 60,000 people polled by Clamor early 2012, the Ile de France remains the most expensive, with 18.1 euro per square meter. The prize for the highest rent is attributed to Neuilly-sur-Seine, where it takes 23 euros per square meter …. Conversely, it is 8 euros in Saint-Etienne in the Loire.

Baisssière trend affecting more and more cities …

Since the beginning of the year, it concerns 46% of cities against 30% in 2011. The decline in rental prices is around 2.5% for half of them. This is the case for Nice with a decrease of 1.1%, -2.6% for Bordeaux, and a 3% decrease in Caen and Cannes. Conversely, the rent increased to 54% of cities such as Nantes, Metz, Narbonne, or Tours. The largest increase is attributed to Niort in the Deux-Sevres with 9%. And the largest decrease was recorded in Upper Normandy. It is in this region where the rent has recorded the largest decline between early 2012 and early 2011 (-5.2%)

… but it covers only small areas

The decrease relates only to small areas. It is 1.5% less for a studio and a room. In total, the cost for a T1 evaluates to 444 euros. However, the price of three, four and five parts increases. For a five-piece, rents increased by 3.8% or 1086 euros on average in February.

The rent for relocation accelerates

It is well known, homeowners enjoy the change of tenant for rent augementer. And it continues unabated in 2012, on the contrary; While the rent increase was 1.9% in 2011, it began rising again in 2012 to $ 3.8%. Besides the increase in change of tenant, Clamor considers property rented with work increased 9.1% in 2011, 1.5% current work no work down 7.1%