And in the case of the France it is the second step of a procedure initiated years ago

The European Commission has committed or advanced yesterday, against the France four potentially embarrassing breach of con-consequences procedures for Paris. Brussels fails still no the wording of the Decree on control of foreign investment in the sensitive sectors of the economy, monitors closely the new regime of pensions of the officials of the post ("Les Echos" from October 10), examines the rules that protect the PMU of the competition and involves, finally, the nationality clause that applies to notaries.

At first glance, one might think a massive Salvo against the French authorities, therefore a new stiffening in the regular conflict relations between Bercy and the Commission. There is nothing. First, it should be noted that these procedures are part of a quarterly package which has no less than 2,000. Many other Member States will, too, receive many letters of Brussels, which in the sector telecommunications, which in the field of the environment.

For example, the Belgium, which imposes language obligations on operators of certified training, the Germany, for its legislation on the chimney sweeps, the Spain, which favours national private security companies. In the telecommunications sector, 6 countries will receive a reasoned opinion to have not fully put in place the European emergency number, 112. In the field of the environment, the Luxembourg is dragged before the European Court of justice, for having not provided sufficient information on its greenhouse gas emissions and the measures taken to reduce them. With regard to the Decree on foreign investment, in France, the Commissioner of the internal market singularly reduced the list of grievances to the text (see below). The Commission had indicated as early as December 2005 that it would control the system of pensions of officials of the post. The procedure against the PMU, in cartons of Commission for months, is that the extension of a previous investigation, launched in April against 7 other Member States. Finally, the jeopardization of the notaries nationality clause concerning 16 Member States. And, in the case of the France, it is the second step of a procedure initiated years ago.

IFRS accounting standards

Nothing to do with the frustration that led business Alstom, Bull, France Telecom, or EDF, when Mario Monti was the Commissioner for competition. A time during which Paris also took great liberties with the Stability Pact and languished at the bottom of the European ranking for the transposition of European legislation into national law.

On the question of the pensions of officials of the post, the Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for competition, wish to verify that the new system notified by Paris in June is not illegal state aid. At the present time, the postal facility discharge assessment employer for the retirement of its officials, but reimburses the State full of his retirement pension, or approximately EUR 2 billion per year. As the transition to IFRS accounting standards, for the 2007 fiscal year, would require the post to pass more giant advance of EUR 75 billion, the Government wants to modify the current scheme and do contribute society. The question is to know how to calculate this contribution, knowing that competitors of the position closely monitor the orientations of Bercy.

The PMU, the Commission asks the France, the Italy and the Austria to justify their gambling legislation. It recalls that, according to the judges of Luxembourg, a Member State cannot rely on the need to limit the supply of games to erect borders on its borders, if, at the same time, he encouraged the domestic games or betting organised by national operators. The French Government spokesman said last night that the France intended to "maintain" his organization of gambling.