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In France, too, resistance was organized against the tax increases that prepares the new government. But it will come mainly employers' organizations. In the program of Francois Hollande, 20 billion euros of tax increase at least directly related companies. And one of them focuses all the fears of employers' organizations: the removal of the pay scale relief companies paying the levy on the value added (CVAC).

Behind this name hides a barbaric tax simple. When the government of François Fillon has removed the tax in 2010, he replaced it with two lighter taxes levied by local authorities: the territorial economic contribution (CET) and CVAE which is a tax of 1.5% value-added enterprises.

But not to penalize the smaller of them, only companies with annual revenues exceeding 50 million euros are taxed at 1.5%. Below, the rate is declining, according to the volume of business done and the slices are made based on a precise schedule. The proposal of François Hollande to remove the pay scale relief, is to tax the value added of all firms with annual revenues exceeding EUR 500 000 at a single rate of 1.5%.

Concerns

This provision will affect the brunt of SMEs is concerned there be the MEDEF. The expected tax receipts rise, according to simulations, between 3.3 and 3.5 billion euros. Difficult to know in detail what this will mean additional burden for the firms concerned. But according to data from the Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFIP), businesses with annual turnover between 500,000 and 3 million participate to the tune of 1.9 billion to these new recipes. Those between 3 million and 10 million in revenue to contribute € 760 million, mainly because they are smaller.

Against attacks of the employers of this worrying increase in the charges, the team of Francois Hollande, during the campaign, responded by indicating that SMEs would benefit from a reduced rate of corporation tax at 15%. "Except that most SMEs are already at that rate," said an official employer, "and the program of Francois Hollande has never planned to extend this rate down to more companies." …… ..

In short, the new system will penalize SMEs unless, in the parliamentary discussions, the future majority agrees to additional gestures, such as a change in the scope of the current IS reduced to 15%. A first test will show that tax Bercy to support the French industry, in a context of strained public finances.

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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 cheap pay day loans. 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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The general scheme of Health Insurance

This is the social security scheme for employees and students. It covers 57 million French people, more than 87% of the population. It also funds 86% of health spending in the country, with resources from mainly social contributions (48%) and CSG (36%).

In 2010, the CPAM (Caisse primary health insurance) paid 142 billion euros in benefits, an average of € 5,260 per person. This total includes:

-Benefits in kind: reimbursement of medical expenses, hospital fees …

-Cash benefits: daily allowances of sickness.

Its current deficit was 18.6 billion euros.

Note: the local scheme of comprehensive health insurance benefits paid by Medicare for the inhabitants of Alsace (Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin) and Moselle.  

The agricultural system

The agricultural system provides both operators (attached to the AMEXA) and agricultural workers. It is managed by the MSA (MSA). It protects 3.5 million beneficiaries and $ 28 billion benefit in 2010, € 4670 per person per year. As for the general scheme, this amount includes benefits in kind and cash. Reimbursements for medical expenses are also identical. Its deficit is currently $ 1.4 billion.

Namely: the scheme provides not only those working on farms, but also employees of service companies in connection with the agricultural community, as insurance or banking.

The social system of independent (RSI)

This plan administers health insurance for artisans, merchants and professionals. However, it manages itself as contributions. Indeed, the repayments are in turn delegated to agencies under contract who are insurers or mutual. It covers 3.5 million beneficiaries who receive benefits 6.8 billion.

The reimbursement of medical expenses and hospitalization are again identical to those of employees. However, some professions, such as professionals, do not receive any daily allowances in case of sickness.

The special insurance

Certain sectors or companies, for historical reasons, developed their own health insurance. They are special diets. There are 11 in total, among which are the regimes of sailors, soldiers, mining companies (which merged with the basic plan to end 2013), SNCF, RATP, the gas industry and electricity, the Bank of France, clerks and employees of notaries … But also the Paris Opera, the Port of Bordeaux, the National Assembly or the Senate.

All these schemes are grouped in the National Union Special (UNRS). They cover a total of about 5 million people. Reimbursements for medical expenses are generally identical to those of employees. However, some plans offer more benefits.

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Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

The French seem receptive to advice of tax professionals. In recent weeks, get an appointment with a notary has become very complicated. And the situation should not be arranged by May 6. Alarmed by the tightening of tax rules announced in an election for president Francois Hollande, the French wish to transfer their wealth to their children under current conditions more favorable. The Socialist candidate has indeed warned that it would lower the tax exemption limit of 159,325 euros (set in 2007 by Nicolas Sarkozy) to 100,000 euros. It also intends to extend ten to fifteen years the period between two donations exempt.

Interviewed by Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, and several notaries are reports of increased requests for donation from the beginning of the year. A new situation, as noted by the Council of Notaries which includes national information feedback from the field. In some studies, the number of cases has doubled, and professionals are overwhelmed. "I contacted my lawyer to get information, but since I can no longer be reached," says Martine Perez, who claims that several people around him are now in the same situation waiting, despite a case being finalized.

According to the notaries, the situation does not deserve such eagerness of the French. Even when changing the tax rules in the aftermath of the election, the required publication of implementing regulations to allow taxpayers a few weeks to make arrangements. But the concern is greatest. Amazing phenomenon indeed, it is not just the wealthy. According to Elodie Fremont, notary quoted by Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, a couple of workers chose to give the bare ownership of principal residence to their daughter to keep only the usufruct. A recent decision to avoid being subject to future tax reform.

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Switzerland scored a point in the standoff that pitted him against Washington on banking secrecy. The Federal Administrative Court, one of the highest courts of Confederation, April 5 opposite end of inadmissibility to the IRS claimed that the transmission of names of clients of Credit Suisse, suspected of tax evasion. The judge considers that such data would be contrary to the bilateral tax treaty dating from 1996 and still in force. Switzerland is committed in March 2009, to comply with OECD standards for exchanging information that eliminate the distinction between fraud and tax evasion, but the new agreement, signed in June 2009 between the two countries, n has still not been ratified

.

Swiss court does not take into account an amendment to this agreement, voted on March 5 by the Swiss Parliament, which authorizes collective applications from the IRS. "The court decision complicates the government's position, who wants to reach an agreement with the United States," you recognize in Bern.

Three years after officially renounced its banking secrecy, Switzerland is still leading the fight to preserve the attractiveness of its financial center. She leads him on two fronts: against the United States where the Helvetic Confederation resists transfer of bank data, and at European level by negotiating tax agreements that preserve the anonymity of customers.

The precedent of the UBS case

This is the United States that the battle is the hardest. Beyond Credit Suisse, ten institutions are in the crosshairs of the IRS, with the implicit threat of removing banking licenses. In the case of UBS, who had come to shatter the secrecy in 2010, the Administrative Court had already refused the transfer of data. Until Parliament gives green light and ends in 5000 bank data delivered to U.S. authorities.

Switzerland is in a better position in negotiations with the EU, has always been divided on tax issues. If France calls for an end to bank secrecy, through the automatic exchange of information, other countries including Britain and Germany, Austria, Greece and the Netherlands are tempted to accept the Rubik agreements: a withholding "quick and effective" that pays billions to state coffers – $ 10 billion in Germany in exchange for preserving the anonymity of accounts.

So far, Switzerland has signed two agreements "Rubik" with Britain and Germany. Yet to pass the test of Parliaments. In Germany, the Bundesrat – Upper House – dominated by the Social Democrats could oppose a text "which guarantees the anonymity of fraudsters." His vote, expected in June, will be decisive for Switzerland.

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Cynical or simply cultural initiatives do not fail to honor the tragedy that killed 1,514 people April 14, 1912, off Newfoundland. Especially since director James Cameron has shown that the Titanic was a "brand" more than profitable. In 1997, his film exploded every record box office, earning $ 1.8 billion in revenue and creating a real passion for the drama of the Atlantic.

The story of the Titanic began in Ireland, where the liner was built. This is a museum in Belfast, which cost over 110 million euros, was inaugurated last weekend, built on the former shipyard. It reveals the story of the Titanic through special effects or special activities. Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected this year alone.

Southampton City also marks the event. It is indeed from this port in southern England as the first passengers boarded the Titanic. Moreover, a large majority of the crew was from this town and most were killed by remaining on board until the last moment. The City Museum offers a special exhibition, interactive, allowing among other visitors to London find the room where justice investigated after the disaster. The shipping company Red Jet offers it for 54 euros, a departure by boat to the exact place in Southampton where the Titanic sailed.

The more curious, or less superstitious, will benefit from the offer of the Groupon site. For 9500 euros per person, they can navigate thirteen days in July, up from the wreck site and visit the wreck. On board the ship that will transport them, they may attend scientific conferences and will receive an autographed DVD of the film by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Permanent exhibition

Some commemorations are lighter. In Liverpool, where the Titanic made a stop, the sinking will be addressed as a musical. The West Kirby Light Opera Society is back in June on stage at the Liverpool Empire for a production called Titanic. The Musical, about 15 euros per ticket.

France and the United States also will try to capture the public interest for the most famous shipwreck in the world. At Cherbourg, where the steamer stopped to take his last passenger, the Cité de la Mer has expanded to create a new permanent exhibition. And to complete a journey that travelers will not have had the opportunity to complete, destination New York, where the auction house Guernsey's will start selling on April 15th 5500 objects belonging to passengers, or having found aboard the Titanic. Guernsey's was sold in 2004 for $ 100,000 a menu. Prices could soar again this year.

Finally, some cities which have a lot farther with the historical event has found a way to cash in, as the Anglo-Saxons, or to "cash in". In Atlanta, the Hotel St. Regis has developed one of the most profitable. Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, founder of the institution and died in the wreck, was the richest man on the Titanic. For 2000 dollars you can spend a night in the Empire Suite. This was the price of a first class ticket on the ship in 1912.

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Justice always seeks to measure the responsibility of France Telecom in the wave of suicides that killed dozens of employees – 62 according to unions – from 2008. As part of the investigation for "bullying" opened in 2010, the Paris headquarters of the operator Tuesday was the subject of a search. "We confirm a search operation on Tuesday. This is the logical continuation of the current statement since April 2010, "reported AFP a spokesman for the group.

The unions, on Tuesday, have welcomed the progress of the investigation. "The first stage of training had gone through investigations in the family and business contacts all victims with fifty letters rogatory throughout France. This accelerated instruction is positive for us especially if it leads to a trial which, hopefully, will condemn the brutal methods employers and work organization pathogen, "says union South in a statement.

It is based on a report critical of the Labour Inspectorate that the Paris court decided two years ago to respond to the complaint filed by the SOUTH. A 82-page dossier analyzing the circumstances of the death of 14 employees of the operator, which concluded that "the implementation of labor organizations likely to cause serious harm to the health of workers." Very critical of "the politics of reorganization" led the company since 2006 to modernize, the report pointed "management practices that characterize bullying personal business card."  

New social contract

He also stressed that despite the repeated warnings of occupational physicians, labor representatives and health insurance funds, the operator continued implementation of its modernization plan "Next", launched in 2005. Among the means used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the group included the elimination of 22,000 jobs over three years and the transfer of 10,000 employees. In 2010, the Paris prosecutor had however held that the charge of "harassment", rejecting that of "endangering the lives of others."

The wave of suicides has already impacted the operation of the operator. Starting with its CEO. Didier Lombard, originally the plan "Next" and author of clumsy on about a supposed "fashion suicide" was replaced in March 2010 by its director France, Stéphane Richard. With a completely different style than its predecessor, it has sought to pacify the group. A new social contract, a discourse more transparent and promise to hire 10,000 people helped to reduce the social crisis. Interviewed by the company last September, employees seemed to feel a slight improvement: welfare to work was rated 6.8 out of 10 then, against 6.2 a year earlier.

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.

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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The Swiss are about to bolster their reputation for needy people. They will vote Sunday on whether to increase the minimum paid leave of four to six weeks per year. They should, if one believes an RTS survey released this week, overwhelmingly reject this offer, 30% of respondents only showing himself to be favorable.

In the employers and government, the vote on March 11, organized at the initiative of the union Travail.Suisse, unsurprisingly raises hostility. Swiss companies are concerned that this increase in leisure time would harm the competitiveness of a country where labor costs are already among the highest in the world. With the key, they are in custody, a rising unemployment. At 4.2% in 2010, the unemployment rate Helvetic is currently one of the lowest in the OECD.  

The French model which appears as a perfect example-cons. Since the law on the 35 hours they were "much more free time than the Swiss and it did not bring much," judge the employers' organization economiesuisse. "The unemployment rate is high, the economy has weakened and the French were wearing pale twice as often as the Swiss," says the organization.

The unions, meanwhile, argue that the productivity Swiss jumped 20% in 1992 and 2007, and it's fair that employees derive some benefits. According to them, two weeks extra vacation would also reduce the stress suffered by third asset.

Conquest of paid leave late

Within the Swiss population, the reluctance of employers to amend the social model seems widely shared. "These holidays that prevent work in peace" was the headline in mid-February the daily Le Temps. The RTS survey highlights that the Swiss Latin are more attracted by the proposal that the Swiss allémaniques, over 40% against 30% in the general population. But Le Matin claims that the work is valued highly consensual. And remember that for over half a century, all efforts to shorten the working week were unsuccessful.

The conquest of paid leave was made later in Switzerland than in France. It was not until 1964 has been entered in the 'Code of Obligations "to give the workers a minimum of two weeks paid vacation per year. The right to four weeks will be introduced 20 years later. Even if some collective agreements already provide a framework more favorable than the statutory minimum, "let it be said here, it is not in France, insists Time. 1936, paid holidays decreed by Leon Blum, the hordes of workers blissful hurling on the N7, it's not with us. "

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