The slightest electoral law is still debate

What do you think of the approach taken by the head of State to initiate land reform Will she find the consensus it research

The consensus is a method of work, not a purpose, and I find the right approach. So we leave not zero. Before the Committee (see page 6) Balladur, a large parliamentary work was done, particularly at the instigation of Dominique Perben. In 2003, Nicolas Sarkozy and Patrick Devedjian had facilitated, under my authority, the General States of decentralization, region by region. This had allowed to detect changes and some deadlocks. Before the Balladur Committee, I defended the achievements of 2003, it is based on two requirements: proximity and power. To satisfy the first, the decentralized Republic must rely on the departmental space and urban space when it comes to large cities. Meet the second requirement through strong regions. However, them, even after the reform of 2003, still do not have the capacity of economic action. The economic failure of the regions is patent. On research, innovation, venture capital funding, they are helpless to their European neighbours. Lacking a credible regional signature.

Should we create territorial advisors

I see no problem in that the territorial Counsellor in two different spaces act both in proximity and develops a strategic vision. Just as in a company where the manager manages the social dialogue, the "reporting" of its production units and at the same time place a strategy and a five-year plan. But all territorial advisors will not be able to sit in the Regional Council. If areas merged, as I hope, should keep meetings on a human scale. This will allow to get out of the current confusion of roles due to the frequent overlap of regional and departmental initiatives. The General Council of Haute-Vienne and the Regional Council of Limousin have very similar policies. If spaces were more distinct, such as the point of view of their size, there would be more this ambiguity.

Is the merger of regions relevant

To weigh at the European level, a region must be based on a space and a demographic critical mass of at least 5 million. This gives a power and a capacity to act on certain priorities, such as the attractiveness, competitiveness, the intelligence of the territory. All of this course should organize around cities. Thus, we would be actual economies.

I need to return to the general jurisdiction of the regions and departments clause

Non. Elected officials must keep a real responsibility. Be careful not to grillmayer the France, to build boxes where each community level will have a predefined mission to carry out. What, therefore, elect representatives elected by popular vote Of sub-prefects may as well do the work. It should therefore not generally questioning the general jurisdiction clause. There was no René Monory, when he was Chairman of the Department of la Vienne, to construct a Futuroscope. And yet, he did well to create this equipment. The elector is the best judge of the audacity of an elected official.

Don't you be afraid of lobbies départementaliste and regionalist block reform

I hope that this type of blocking will be exceeded. On this subject, it must be reform and have a global vision. I recognize the merits of the Department, but its place is ambiguous in urban areas. The girondins real like me understood that immobility was the death of decentralization. Many have understood that the reform is more important than lobbying for local interests.

The question of the future voting system of the territorial Councillors might raise tensions...

The slightest electoral law is still debate. The past is instructive in 1986 as in 2004: the majority is that it would serve, and for this reason, the opposition challenged, while in the end, the result is beneficial. I invite everyone to take a step back. Tensions could instead come from the regional elections of 2010. The reform will prior to the regional 2010 or after The ambiguity must be lifted.

The President of the Republic seems to go very quickly...

Make applicable reform before the regional elections will probably require their report. It seems quite difficult today to develop legislation, to the vote and to enter into force on the horizon of 2010. It should really be a supersonic speed. The reform could also be after the elections, which would avoid having to touch the calendar. Need to quickly resolve this issue.

Will it go up to revise the Constitution again

Given the tight result

the last Congress, better is not to go this route. Decentralization, majorities are always sophisticated, because they must integrate the diversity of the situations on the French space. A majority of three-fifths in these conditions requires a lot of caution and very political will forte. Achieve therefore requires a bit of time. The project of reform can be achieved in the constitutional revision of 2003 for little that it extends the Basic Act 2 of decentralization: the proximity to the departments, the power to the regions. This is called subsidiarity, it is now a constitutional principle.

Many believe that the State would do better to sweep before his door before reforming local communities. What do you think

The State must demonstrate a sincere recognition of decentralization and at the same time said its priority mission of land-use planning. I regret the deletion of the Datar. I regret that the Diact, who succeeded him, or more put to the Prime Minister and lost its interdepartmental vocation. In the spirit of its founders, the Datar was the lever of the State to exercise one of its major responsibilities, development of the territory. Weakened it. Furthermore, it is at the level of the prefect that this jurisdiction should be exercised locally.

As a former Prime Minister, how do you consider the role assigned to Matignon under the Presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy

Obviously, the mission assigned to the Prime Minister has changed. The bulk of the decisions is made today in the Elysee Palace. It is found in a situation of reverse cohabitation. The Prime Minister is now in charge of the management of the impact of the presidential decision, upstream and downstream. This is not a reduced role, it is a different role.

The Senate has heard its difference in recent months on several bills controversial, such as on audiovisual reform. Is it a bad passing mood or a sustainable empowerment

The Senate is designed to be free and fair. Many senators were struck by the fact that the advertising on television has been deleted before that they can discuss them. This happened once, it will not be able to reproduce. The Senate is a pole of confidence for the French. It mostly supports the President of the Republic, he appreciated its reform commitment. But he could not accept that a decision be stopped after only one debate in the National Assembly. The Senate in history was able to be rebellious. Broadcasting, we have been responsible, we have not wanted to provoke a political crisis, at the time the main concern of the French employment.

How do you value the initiatives taken by the new President of the Senate Gérard Larcher, to reduce the train of life of the high Assembly

Ok. That a number of budgetary control decisions have been taken seems a good thing, at the time where an effort is applied to the whole country. But do not misunderstand, the Senator is not a privileged. It is a work which, in my view, should be better recognized. The adjustment of the Senate through the freedom of the Senate. More was made for the Senate expressing our difference on test DNA for example by making speeches of self-defense.

Why was it so difficult for the UMP to locomotives to lead the list in European elections

European parliamentary life is not enough in the national debate. I regret that the younger does are not attracted by the European mandate, which is very trainer. Several former Prime Ministers, Alain Juppe or myself have spent several years in the European Parliament. Do not stay in too Parisian schemas. To make a political career, today, to move beyond the borders. After a moment of doubt, Rachida Dati has understood and bounced back well.

The 26 billion euro recovery plan is adequate Need to make a gesture for consumption and purchasing power

I think that the stimulus effort will have to approach the 2 of GDP in the year 2009 against 1.3 currently. need to take other initiatives. But I also believe that the head of State was right to not rush to draw all the lessons of the crisis: we do not know yet really the extent. To keep a few action capabilities. The Government has good reason to focus on investment, because our trade is already very degraded. I am very reserved on any stimulus application but open to targeted social measures.