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Group management Peugeot Citroën confirmed Wednesday that alliance projects from an article by LaTribune.fr evoking discussions in the finals with General Motors.

After had tried to ally with Japan's Mitsubishi, having denied rumors of a partnership with Fiat, PSA Peugeot Citroen acknowledged Wednesday review "projects of cooperation and alliances" but did not specify with whom the French group was under discussion. These statements came as the site reported Tuesday LaTribune.fr advanced negotiations for a marriage with General Motors. The U.S. giant has also refused to confirm specific talks, merely referring to regular discussions with automakers.

The site is LaTribune.fr meanwhile status talks between General Motors and PSA "started several months ago" and "entered their final phase." He cites a confidential source that these discussions are "advanced" and are "an alliance, not ad hoc cooperation." They "have not yet been successful, there is no agreement at this stage," said the source.

Finding the right partner

PSA has denied rumors in January in the Italian press for a merger with Italy's Fiat-Chrysler. But the new director of the brands is the French sector, Frederic Saint-Geours, had indicated that PSA was "quite open" to the idea of ​​a marriage, provided "the right partner." "For now, there is no alliance in progress", he added.

Two years ago, PSA had attempted to ally with Japan's Mitsubishi, but the operation had failed. The project was buried in March 2010. The press then reported a reluctance on the Peugeot family, which holds 30.3% stake to 45.74% of voting rights. Sales of French number one industry, and number two in Europe, suffered in 2011 from the poor health of the European car market.

PSA wants to expand internationally. But there is lack of funding and somewhat isolated on the world stage, in front of Volkswagen, GM, Toyota or Nissan Alliance, said LaTribune.fr. Partner with the world number one what General Motors, which posted record profits last year, could be a solution, according to the website.

An announcement could be made in early March at the Motor Show of Geneva, according LaTribune.fr.

The Greek government on Saturday approved the final version of the austerity measures demanded by the EU and the IMF to release an aid package of 130 billion euros .

The government approval was a formality after the adoption, last week, a series of measures aimed at saving 325 million euros including through reductions of wages, salaries and pensions.

"These austerity measures were approved unanimously," said one minister, who requested anonymity. 

The government during the same meeting set for March 8 opening date of the exchange of Greek sovereign bonds held by private creditors, with the hope to complete the operation before March 11, said an official source.

This exchange will result in a discount of 70% of the real value of debt held by private investors.

The Greek government hopes that these initiatives will enable the adoption of the bailout by member countries of the eurozone at their summit in Brussels on Monday.

"The Greeks did everything they could and we are committed to keeping our commitments," said Minister of Public Order, Christos Papoutsis. 

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said in a statement regretted having to solve a new lower pensions but assured that the impact of this measure would remain limited as it only concerns a pension exceeding 1,300 euros.

"We all agree that the support of economic activity is our priority," he added, without specifying what measures he intends to eventually take to restore growth.

A poll for the Sunday newspaper Realnews, 72.7% of Greeks want a continuation of Greece in the euro area, but only half of them think it will get there.

Wall Street opened higher Monday after the vote of austerity measures by the Greek Parliament, investors wanting to believe that this new step will move towards a resolution of the debt crisis in Greece.

In early trade, the Dow Jones gained 0.48% (61.76 points) to 12,862.99 points. The Standard & Poor's, which was accused last week its first weekly decline in six weeks, is 0.64% (8.65 points) to 1,351.29 points while the Nasdaq composite advance 0.81% (23.57 points) to 2,927.45.

"There was a little apprehensive but the fact is that (the Greek plan) was approved and it has clarified many things to contracts involving the risk that Greece represents for them, "Justice Peter Kenny, managing director of Knight Capital.

Side values, as Apple has climbed above $ 500 at the opening (1.65%), reaching a new record. 

The group has stepped up to the apple its offensive Monday against Samsung Electronics in the patent war between them, by attacking the Nexus range of smartphones equipped with the latest version of Android, the operating system from Google.

The Greek government on Friday approved a bill involving the country in the reforms demanded by the EU and the International Monetary Fund for the implementation of a second bailout of 130 billion euros, officials said government.

"This has been approved," said a minister attending the cabinet meeting.

The bill should be voted by parliament Sunday, which would make Greece a financial solution so that Athens must pay 14.5 billion euros in bonds maturing next month. The Mediterranean country will not honor these debts without further aid.

The European Union urges the Greek government to provide details of further cuts in public spending of $ 325 million.

It also requires a clear commitment of party leaders of the coalition government to implement reforms.

"We can not let Greece go bankrupt. Our priority is to take steps to adopt the new economic program and the new loan agreement. It goes without saying that those who disagree and do not vote for the new program can not remain in government ", said Prime Minister Lucas Papademos to the Cabinet ……. Friday

.., the Greeks began a 48-hour general strike to protest the new austerity measures demanded by international creditors and that Athens can not be the economy, according to Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, at least to leave the euro area

. Clashes

between demonstrators and security forces erupted in Constitution Square (Syntagma), before Parliament but the manifestations, followed by relatively few, have generally held ; are peaceful. 

The first police union, which accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission to undermine democracy and national sovereignty, expressed his desire to no longer act against his "brothers". A local newspaper also publishes a photo montage showing German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a Nazi uniform.

SACRIFICES

The four government members from the LAOS, far-right party that belongs to the governing coalition, submitted their resignations in protest against the demands of international creditors, reports news agency ANA. George Karatzaferis, leader of the movement, had previously ruled to endorse the new austerity plan.

"I told the other political leaders that I could not vote for this loan agreement," he said at a news conference. "The Greeks can not be taken hostage and enslaved. We took our dignity. We were humiliated. I can not accept "

. The LAOS has 15 MPs out of 300 of the Greek Parliament, which means that his opposition to rescue plan would not prevent its adoption

. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou, member of Socialist Party (PASOK), has also resigned, but the movement has invited elected to support the plan

…… For … Venizelos, Greece can only accept the conditions of the new aid package of 130 billion to avoid bankruptcy accounts public for looming next month.

"The time has come for us to decide. Unfortunately, we must choose between sacrifice and even greater sacrifices, "he said in Brussels

. The device provides including a 22% decrease in the minimum wage, the elimination of 150,000 jobs in the public and reduced pensions for many

. Greeks, impoverished by five years of recession, in a country where unemployment is a worker in five, when the shops close one after the other, these new measures are unacceptable. 

Lucas Papademos had torn the agreement Thursday leaders of PASOK (left), New Democracy (right) and LAOS new measures demanded by donors, but their fire Green did not convince partners Athens and release the funds to conclude the Agreement on the Private sector involvement (PSI) in public debt.

Jean-Claude Juncker, Eurogroup president, warned that no aid would be disbursed without collateral submitted by the Greek political class. "In short, no release without implementation" of measures, he summarized.

The rating agency lowered the rating of the country by one notch to "AA +" to "AA". It could further deteriorate in the future. Outgoing Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme, the ordinary business since April 2010

Belgium was sanctioned Friday by the rating agency Standard and Poor's, because of its debt and therefore the political crisis through which it passes for over 500 days and paralyzing currently discussing the formation of the next budget. The rating agency lowered the rating of the Kingdom by one notch to "AA +" to "AA". It could further deteriorate in the future.

Reacting immediately, the Prime Minister Yves Leterme current affairs said that the decision was "naturally bad news," before launching an appeal to political parties to reach agreement within 48 hours on the budget.The country's leaders also face pressure from the European Commission threatening Belgium with a fine of 700 million euros if a tight budget is not completed by mid-December.

Continuing difficulties in the financial sector

It is this urgency and the lack of credibility of the country has pointed Standard & Poor's lowering the rating of the kingdom. Involved: "difficulties in the financial sector" which may require greater support by the government which would increase the already high debt of the country and especially the context of "political uncertainty" that continues to affect the credibility of Belgium as a borrower.

On the occasion of the International Forum of Culture of Avignon, the company publishes Tera Consultant on Thursday a report claiming that a city that invests 0.7% of GDP per capita in the culture can hope to gain in return for 9% of the same GDP per capita. The Palais des Papes in Avignon

The International Forum for Culture Avignon began Thursday. On this occasion, the society of economic expertise and strategic Tera Consultant, in partnership with consulting firm Kurt Solomon, published a report on the impact of spending on culture of cities, based on criteria such as the migration rate, the number of visitors, the number of cultural sites of all types (including universities) and the share of cultural spending in GDP, studied in 47 cities on 21 countries.

Spending on culture of the cities studied are, on average, 0.7% of GDP per capita.

The forecast of zero growth of the French economy in the fourth quarter by the Banque de France confirms a slowdown sustainable activity that weakens the hypothesis government and increases the likelihood of a new austerity plan next year.

The forecast released Wednesday, in line with that issued by INSEE in October, comes two days after the announcement of a second austerity plan in less than three months and a G20 summit haunted by the specter of a recession.

Weak growth, zero or negative, means that tax revenues will be lower than expected and higher spending, the financial statements being greater demand.The French economy grew by 0.9% in the first quarter and was flat in the second.

The Institute of Statistics said in October forecast growth of 0.3% in the third quarter and a stagnation in the fourth, according to the assumptions that should enable it to achieve the government forecast for 2011 (1.75%).

ECONOMY TO START OFF 2012

But the achievements of growth for 2012 would be only 0.2%, six times less than at the end of 2010, and it would be even lower if growth in the third quarter was only 0.1% as the has provided the Bank of France.

The parties of the coalition of Angela Merkel announced Sunday night tax breaks 6 billion euros in 2013 and 2014. The opposition considers these tax cuts are incompatible with the objective of reducing debt. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister of Economy Rainer Bruederle at the energy conference in Berlin on March 22

German opposition parties have rejected Monday plans tax relief presented Sunday by the ruling coalition, they are able to derail the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, where they predominate. "I can not imagine a majority for the proposals that form the Bundesrat," said Jürgen Trittin, one of the leaders of the Green Party, "it would be very surprised."

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou won the vote of confidence from Parliament. It is currently negotiating with the President of the Republic to establish a new coalition government he will lead probably not. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (right) won the vote of confidence from Parliament Friday, November 4th by 153 votes out of 298 votes.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou won Saturday early morning the confidence of parliament after a week of psychodrama in the euro area, paving the way for the preparation of a coalition government, he will not probably not.George Papandreou, who received 153 votes out of 298 votes cast, was far from certain to survive the ordeal after the crisis that started in his own Socialist Party triggered by his attempt to impose a referendum to validate the European Plan aid to Greece.

"Saturday (noon), I will visit the President of the Republic so that we reach agreement on the composition of a consensus government and even of who will direct it," he said in parliament . Paradoxically, the vote of confidence should allow it to go head up, after the panic created earlier this week on global financial markets with its announcement of the referendum and the anger of the country's creditors who curtly summoned for threatening cut off the country.

"I never saw politics as a profession," said Mr.

This is the first time since 1996 that unemployment reached this level in the country. It is also the highest rate in the OECD. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a news conference late July 2011.

Unemployment in Spain has increased again in the third quarter to 21.5%, its highest level since 1996 and a record among industrialized countries, according to official figures released Friday. In late September, the number of unemployed in Spain rose to 4.978 million, against 4.83 million in late June (20.8%), announced the National Institute of Statistics. This is the unemployment rate the highest recorded in Spain since the fourth quarter of 1996, when it reached 21.6%.

Unemployment, currently the highest in the European Union and OECD countries, remains the main black spot in the table of the country.Thursday, the euro area has encouraged Spain to make further efforts to reduce the "unacceptable level" of unemployment in the country, after a summit in Brussels. "Additional measures are needed to increase growth to reduce the unacceptable level of unemployment," said a declaration adopted at a summit of leaders of the euro area in Brussels.

The EU hoped that Madrid reform its labor market "to increase flexibility at the enterprise level and the workforce." The text also emphasizes the necessary reforms "to improve competitiveness", particularly in the service sector. The battle for jobs is central to the campaign for the parliamentary elections of November 20, while record numbers of unemployment have earned the Socialists to power falling in the polls against the conservative right.