Hence the idea of a merger between France and Suez gas

According the schedule announced last week, Bill privatizing gas of France, prior to its merger with Suez, was presented this morning by the Council of Ministers. He will return to the parliamentarians to discuss and amend it in a special session to be held in early September, according to the schedule given Monday night by Jacques Chirac on France 2. We will then see if the "work of pedagogy" throughout the summer will have identified a majority in favour of this text within the UMP.

The presentation of the Bill in Council of Ministers begins certainly not the merger Suez-gas of France of irreversibly. But the Government at least gives a sense of progress on this dossier at high risk. A strong signal to the eyes of the Presidents of the two companies, reassured by the support explicit French President Jacques Chirac. "It's a project that is necessary," said Monday the President of the Republic. "We in France a major company in electricity", EDF, an another "major nuclear", Areva, a "major in oil", Total, while gas of France is a "minor gas", he said. However, "we have a great ambition, because we must ensure our supplies of gas, he continued. "Hence the idea of a merger between France and Suez gas". It would also allow to cover Suez and its employees "threatened", the Italian Enel did not hide his views on this group.

In the State, "adapting the energy sector" Bill has 17 articles and focuses on 4 parts: the opening of the markets and what it implies in terms of eligibility and rates; the legal separation of managers of electricity and gas distribution networks; the provisions relating to gas of France capital and the control of the State; and, finally, the provisions relating to contracts for the supply of electricity and natural gas.

With regard to gas of France, article 10 of the text lowers the minimum threshold of detention of the State. Rather than the current 70, stipulates that the latter should hold "at least one third of the capital of gas of France". But pointed out that the threshold remains unchanged for EDF. The State shareholder will be equipped with a specific action to oppose the decisions of the company or its subsidiaries affecting transportation, strategic activities in France, distribution, storage, LNG, "and any other assets" terminals which contributes to the continuity and security of energy supply Finally, the Government Commissioners may be appointed in the new merger with Suez Group.

Maintained regulated tariffs

Among the provisions relating to the total opening of the electricity and gas markets, effective July 1, 2007, include primarily maintenance, for a duration unspecified, regulated tariffs. A choice to protect consumers from soaring energy prices. The text also introduces for the poorest households a "gas social tariff", as there is electricity.

In the transposition of European directives, the text finally provides a measure which will be heavy with consequences for the local businesses of distribution: the legal separation of the managers of distribution of gas and electricity networks serving more than 100,000 customers. A conversion course for EDF and gas of France, but also gas of Strasbourg and gas of Bordeaux as well as the governance of Metz.