This is the sentence of the day. Asked yesterday about the preference given by the State in Alstom and Schneider, Christine Lagarde responded candidly: "It is a chance that the offer be French." Serendipitous, really Hard to believe. If the criterion of nationality had not been taken into account, it is doubtful that the solution Alstom-Schneider has prevailed. Three major points were indeed against it. The price of course, the Habs duo having submitted an offer lower than that of Toshiba. Industrial project then, since it goes through a split of Areva T & D, a 'dismantling', say the unions. Relations with the management, finally: in view of the unanimous opposition of the leaders and the unions of Areva T & D, the offer of Alstom and Schneider presents some traits of a hostile takeover bid.
The words of the Minister of the economy show in fact any ambiguity of the French policy of "economic patriotism". A policy of more and more, but that dare not speak its name. "In France, on a lot of complex when it comes to defend French interests", confirms Bernard Carayon, the UMP MP who made the Herald of this case.
Why these plans Because preferred a French solution due to nationality only, it is fight breach of European liberal principles or simple justice it preaches otherwise. Is digging the gap between the official discourse ("let the best person win!", "the game is open"...), and the closest reality sometimes, because of the prince. "In the case of Areva, why have launched a call for tenders if everything was played in advance" the Advisor of the evicted candidate questions. Seen from abroad, the France will pass once more for a banana Republic!
The fear of the dismantling
Proponents of economic patriotism were not less arguments to make. "The choice of Alstom and Schneider is dictated by the will of the President of the Republic not to relive what it has experienced with Pechiney, Arcelor, Gemplus and others, decrypts Bernard Carayon." It is every time like this: when a French company is sold to a foreigner, he dismantled the then brings back the most interesting activities in his own country. And, when it comes to close factories, it is always in France.
On this basis, the economic patriotism is more and more the order of the day. Dominique de Villepin, then Prime Minister, was the first to formalize the expression in July 2005, determined to "protect" businesses blue-white-red then that would swell up rumours of a possible American raid on Danone. And when the Italian Enel had designs on Suez, Dominique de Villepin has accelerated the merger with gas of France. Nicolas Sarkozy has not been left behind. In 2003, he did everything to prevent that Alstom fell, whole or in part, in the hands of Siemens. The following year, he blocked the vain of the Novartis Switzerland, who was willing to assist against the OPA of Sanofi Aventis.
With the crisis and the creation of the strategic investment Fund (ISP), this policy has taken more magnitude yet. By entering via the ISP with a capital of Nexans, Technip, Gemalto, etc., the State sends a clear message: not touch these strategic business! "Of course, it may challenge this interventionism, admits Bernard Carayon. But the Americans, Canadians, Japanese do this without interfere, them. And when everybody sinning person fishing. And then, is - it really sin to promote French interests
It is necessary to return to the operation of the law of the marketThe historical parallel speaks for itselfwould prohibit Google referencing its contentOr a blatant success nor a failure cookingThe State therefore has few accounts to ask them Aficionados will have three days to check including the small and mediumsized valuesThere are many reasons for this bulimia of data consumption6 million jobs through its first stimulus planThe neverseen in the country of Uncle Sam and the Jeep
