It is this last choice made by Nicolas Sarkozy

The Senate Finance Committee will defend this weekend a new distribution of taxes between local communities. This project puts end to the crisis between the Government and local officials in the professional tax

I think so. This system is more accurate that we could imagine. The Senate, which is the home of the territorial communities, provides a breakdown of taxes which penalises any local community. For departments, for example, it is the principle of the "four quarters" is proposed: the distribution of economic tax will be modulated according to the value added businesses, but also to its population, the extent of its highways and the amount it pays in benefits (revenue of active solidarity, etc). For the regions, the tax will be correlated with value-added companies, but its population, educated workforce, and its area also. You can see, we neglect any community.

The device that you recommend is less pure than that of the Government, because it provides many incentives for businesses. Was the objective of the reform not, also, to make easier

Between the simplicity without warranty and complexity with warranty, I choose! For example, we identified fifteen departments which could be at serious financial risk because mandatory spending continue to grow, while their revenues are declining. The distribution of the new economic tax provides a little more favourable treatment, because it takes into account social spending in each community.

The debate on territorial-Imperial reform is likely to have the same intensity as that on the suppres-sion of business tax

The agenda is for us: we commence the review of land reform on 18 January, from the text of the commission of the laws of the Senate and not the Government. The end of the general jurisdiction is very discussed, but I note that the positions are changing. In fact, the territorial Adviser will be at the heart of political debate. There are two ways to give consistency to the action of the Department and region: merge these structures or focus on territorial reality by merging their elected representatives. It is this last choice made by Nicolas Sarkozy. This choice is a real debate.

Number of mayors worried...

It is the result of financial blackmail exercised by the two associations of elected representatives of the departments and regions with the loss of the general jurisdiction clause. But cross financing remain quite possible and the debate on the abolition of the professional fee has already led to lift many unknown for 2010.

We learn all the days of tax increases in communities local, from left, droi - te. Is there not a moment where the French will find it difficult - ment bearable

You are right: it must be very careful to not increase the level of withdrawals at the time where the consumer is reluctant and where revenue will stagnate. It is a decision that belongs to the Mayor and is disconnected from the reform of local government. In my town of Rambouillet (Yvelines), I look at currently very carefully all operating expenses, with in mind the idea of giving priority to investment.

Former Minister of labour, you want the Senate to be present in social debates. What are those that you choose

Retirement will be the great social debate of 2010 and it is the State Executive and legislature, which will lead, with the social partners. I emphasize the fact that this debate should not be limited to the question of the retirement age increased to 65 or 67 years, as in Germany for example, or duration of contribution required to have a pension at full rate. It will have to take it in all its aspects, including the consideration of the hardship, even if it is difficult. On this point, the employers and trade unions have failed to reach an agreement, Parliament will take its responsibilities.

This puts at risk in priority social pact, it is, for example, the social security deficit. Will it continue to accumulate without increase in levies

30 Billion of deficit in 2010, two thirds are explained by loss of revenue related to the crisis. I hope that, thanks to the stimulus, the great loan plan and the action of the European Union, growth is going to leave. If it is discovered that these losses were structural because not enough growth moved again, should of course act on all the levers. But Nicolas Sarkozy has reason for not wanting to increase in the levies until the crisis is there.

Since school, the majority and the head of State have been chronicled-tees to be heard of Fran-France. How do you explain this climate

During the crisis, the decision was made to continue reforms boldly, which was not did previously. It is normal that it shakes. In 2012, the French judge on coins all what has been done.