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The reform of the Post Office comes to the Senate

More than 600 amendments and three motions, including a referendum motion. The senators have bread on the plate. They review from today Bill Post in transforming a company limited by shares. This text France transposes the EU Directive provides that the full liberalization of the postal delivery will take effect in 2011. It confirms its public service missions to the company and the existence of the 17 000 points of contact in France.

The Senate debate will last all week to get it over early Friday, by Sunday. "On a subject that is as much controversy, 600 amendments, it is not surprising, says Peter Hedgehog UMP Senator and rapporteur of the text. The Communists have tabled amendments to delete section by section. "According to Article 1 which transforms the status of La Poste, will pass unchanged."Already adopted by the Committee, it will not be discussed again by the majority."

A week of local actions

Yet the point that crystallizes the most virulent opposition. Its opponents see it as the first step towards privatization of the company. Beginning with the National Committee against the privatization of La Poste. Bringing together some sixty associations, unions and leftist parties, it requires the abandonment of the bill and a referendum on the issue after "voting citizen" in early October when 2.3 million people participated. The committee called Friday for a week of local actions throughout France, until November 7.To mark the occasion, he invited senators and personalities of the show today to share a picnic and a "happy hour" with militants in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.

It asserts, finally, having printed more than 5 million postcards to be sent to the president calling for a referendum on the future of La Poste.

"Touching the status of La Poste will inevitably have an impact on the future of postal workers and the French territory, in particular his campaigns, said Martial Bourquin, Senator PS Doubs. The Socialist Party is against this change. As SNCF, La Poste can remain a public industrial and commercial, while facing competition. I filed 41 amendments and the Socialist Party over 400 in total. "

The government has filed such an amendment changing the financing of the mission planning of La Poste.In committee, Senator Pierre Hedgehog had pushed through, against the advice of the government, an amendment of 80% to 100% tax exemption for The Post on the business tax to fund its network. A new amendment will be presented by the government. "The 100% is deleted, to avoid legal action from Brussels, says Pierre Hedgehog. The amount of the reduction will be assessed each year and included in the budget bill. "