Selfregulation works not need many texts

Former President of the CNPF and the Medef, Ernest-Antoine Seillière, President of BusinessEurope since the summer 2005 (and for a few weeks), indicates the priorities of the companies of the 27 Member States it represents from the perspective of the European elections on Sunday in an interview with the "Echos". He also refers to the consequences of the economic and financial crisis. Finally, as President of Wendel, it says the challenge brought by Sophie Boegner to days of general meetings of the Group Friday, June 5 and SLPS June 10 the company that brings together the interests of the family in the holding company of investment.

The European campaign is sluggish, but businesses are also silent. Not have nothing to say

Companies are in fact extremely concerned by this election, because countless decisions of the European Parliament closely affect their daily lives. That we think about the Reach directive, which is changing the way work in the industry and was a premonitory text for the world... But there are many other less dramatic texts. On the merits, the vote here because we are the most fervent advocates today of a progression of European construction.

But then how analyze you lack of interest

After fifty years of European construction, it is difficult to still passionate about opinion while national politicians are mine to defend the maximum of skills in each of their countries, even if they know that the evolution of the world will inevitably lead to strengthen the European level.

Is there not another factor In the economic crisis, are States that are manoeuvring, not Europe...

I am not in agreement: the French Presidency has shown that a leader can impose European reality with force. Remember the Conference in four, in Paris in October, with Barroso, Sarkozy, Juncker and Trichet. Beautiful symbol: Europe has existed without States squabble in the crisis.

Do you still see a lack of deepening of Europe

European history is that of a federalism upside down. States, to preserve what it normally transit in federalism, diplomacy, the police, the currency, have agreed to delegate heavily considered to be secondary, but sensitive skills for citizens: to caricature, cheese and the dove hunting. The euro was the first large sovereign abandonment and a success.

Normally, it should go further, but people are reluctant. The current point of arrival is in fact viable. It can be to the companies, provided that deepen the internal market, including for services. The short term, our priority is to exclude the protectionist temptation.

Would you say as much, understood that Europe and the France are protected by their social model

Yes, social shock absorbers are powerful and Europe has found a certain balance between the capacity for innovation, entrepreneurial freedom and attention to the social protection of its citizens. We have a type of society, Christian source widespread in Europe, and that we can defend in the world.

Were you most critical known on the social model French! Has President of BusinessEurope changed you

I express the point of view of companies in 27 European countries. The France is, you know, particular with regard to the balance between business, trade unions and the State.

Has this crisis questioned your liberal credo

The cartoon was made for me I have fun, but it is not me. I am the man of the Medef and the "new society" social Refoundation of Chaban-Delmas. I think that the crisis confirms the value of the economic and social of our societies functioning. Provided keep the obsession of our competitiveness in the globalization.

How crisis changes the equation

Beyond the surface of things, the crisis will amplify two trends. The first is the shift in leadership in the world, with the United States that adapt quickly, Asia running and a hesitant Europe is less clear. The crisis redistributes the cards.

Then, we are entering a period of ecological obsession. Products, lifestyles will change. Climate change will cause a true industrial revolution.

No change in the economy and finance

In the economy, I do not think. Companies working in the long term, they will continue. The management will remain the same. For the rest, the financial sector is of course responsible for the crisis, but no one can blame any particular actor: are - the central banks, the inventors of financial products, bankers, consumers who bought on credit Everyone was an accomplice. After a few months of regulatory temptation, calm returned and it is so much the better. Self-regulation works, not need many texts.

On the merits, you do not understand the controversy on the remuneration of the patterns

I understand them politically, but they settle nothing. By controlling the golden parachutes, it will change the economy There are excesses, they autocorrigeront in each company. It is not the media decide....

Where is it in the crisis

I decline to date the end of the crisis, but hopes are progressing. There is the beginning of a reversal, but the most important is that person down arms... Jean-Claude Trichet has been psychologically reason to speak of "point of inflection".

The euro rises against the dollar. Is - this dangerous

European employers considers 1.40 dollar for 1 euro threshold alert and 1.60 combat threshold. We are not. The excitement is less than in France.

What balance are you getting what has been done for the competitiveness of the economy by Nicolas Sarkozy

He approached the reform in all areas while not reform with the left and so there is no reform under the previous Presidency. It is a "young person" of the France that was felt. Brussels, the balance is good.