It must meet a maximum of skills both is vast

The economic, social and environmental Council (EESC) held this morning the inaugural session of the 2010-2015 term. Nicolas Sarkozy will speak on this occasion before the 233 members of the consultative Assembly.

What do you expect from the intervention of the head of State

It is important in responding to our invitation. The Council has suffered from not often enough be seized in recent years and aspires to regain its position as "House of the citizens." It started in order of battle soon to this effect. Two-thirds of the members have been renewed, we integrated youth and representatives of the environment, established the gender and strengthened links with the economic and social Committee and the regional European. We are ready and eager to start our work. Records are not lacking and debates will be rich with the approach of the presidential election. The EESC has a real role to feed these reflections. Should no longer hesitate to enter it.

On what themes will the EESC work in priority

I distinguished at least four. Let's start with the reform of the dependency and the question of the cost of the work. To add the issues of education and training: they concern the French and will be a major topic of the election. The problem of green growth, finally, is a large issue for the future on which candidates will have to position themselves. It is natural that the EESC, strong of an environmental component, fueling their thoughts.

How to organize your work on the arm

I will propose to establish a commission ad'hoc. It must meet a maximum of skills both is vast. Thinking must be based on the overall framework of the ageing of the population, which will disrupt a multitude of fields: employment of senior citizens, the economy of the health services, the savings/investment balance... Initial work will be made in the summer.

But how to advance both the debates to announce tough between EESC members

It is not question that the EESC is working on subjects which do not get angry! The important thing is to ask the right questions to play in full our decision support role. The opinion of the EESC are not there to please all those who sign them but to be useful to those who receive. We de-moving out of the research of the view unanimously that nullify the hillocks at the expense of the interests of the work. If necessary, present several tracks, specifying their virtues, their limits and their more or less consensual aspect. Then, to policy makers to decide.

A year ago, you had found the "worn mentally France." How you analyze the current social climate

Legitimate tensions created very uncertain economic context. Companies are afraid to be undermined and the social partners withdraw themselves. Today, all the actors of social regulation and change are too low. The very block chaining of reforms and the weakness of the actors Union and employers create a form of bonus in the conflict, with sets of postures and little constructive dialogue. It is essential to strengthen the social partners and building a culture of more permanent dialogue for the future of the country.

Is the debate on the 35-hour relevant

The concept of working time is only one aspect which should not be confined. The real issue, which will organize the French company for a decade or two, it is the concept of competitiveness, especially from the Germany. Our work will have to bear the cost of labour, in connection with the question of the welfare and professional rhythms.

The EESC will also consider the financing of social protection

This is part of a global reflection on the taxation throughout the parliamentary term that opens. The revision of the taxation is a major issue that remains too treated brick by brick over the laws of finance. The EESC is a suitable place to take the height and will give time to move beyond political or electoral contingencies.