And the GovernmentThe question does not arise

Large loan, public finance, carbon tax, reform of local government: in an interview with the "Echos", Alain Juppé passes review the major issues of the moment. And declined the offer made to him by Nicolas Sarkozy to the Presidency of the Court of Auditors.

The budget class incorporating the investment for the future is presented tomorrow in Council of Ministers. Do you consider to have been followed by the Government

Yes, because the recommendations of our Committee on investments for the future were repeated to 99. The spirit of our report is met: it is a unique operation marked by spending really targeted investment and consistent with the crisis exit strategy.

How to reduce the operating expenses of the State to offset the investment for the future

I know the difficulty of the task. It is a long-term task. The Government has launched the general revision of public policy in 2007 and should continue in this way. Suppression of 100,000 posts of officials was very courageous. It is mandatory to reduce the deficit and debt.

Are you for the inclusion in the Constitution of a "golden rule" limiting the level of deficit

We had extensively discussed in the Committee on the investment for the future. A proposal on the table was not to exceed a certain level of deficit "subject to exceptional circumstances." In fact, everything was therefore allowed! I think that multiply the rules, it is pleasant, but this is not much. And I do not think to constitutional virtue on this type of subject. The Constitution provides that local communities must take a significant part of their own tax revenue resources. This principle is the least questionable...

Is the Government right to focus on non-controlled of Community expenditure, when the State would be more virtuous

This part of ping-pong between State and communities is totally futile. If you open this debate, must do so in a comprehensive and honest manner, go to the bottom of things. It must take into account the renewed demands that the State address to the communities. At Bordeaux, the State has transferred to the city establishment of biometric passports: it costs 100 to City Hall, and the state refund US 60! Examples like this, I have to shovel. The finances of the communities are subject to very strict control, they are not entitled to vote a budget in deficit and debt is almost under control.

Their staff were all very much increased...

On this point, I recognize that there are problems in certain regions and certain departments. But, again, should be the share things with State personnel who are transferred to them.

Is raising the legal age of retirement inevitable

The age 60 retirement rule has become totally obsolete. Life expectancy increases, senior citizens, competent and productive in the full form often. Must be out of the situation of underemployment of 55-64 years. It is essential to consider the extension of the duration of activity and the legal age of recovery, while taking into account the arduous nature of the tasks.

Do you share the criticism of Patrick Devedjian against the Constitutional Council after the censorship of the carbon tax

It is not good to question the adjudicative functions. In any democratic country in the world, on attack in the Supreme courts. The Constitutional Council is doing its job and I do not comment on the reasons that led him to cancel the carbon tax.

Should we tax undertakings subject to the quota market

On the most polluting enterprises, avoid double taxation. There are already limits attached to their greenhouse gas emissions.

Are you always also recovered against the reform of local communities

I was very reassembled from the local communities of the reform of the tax component. Fortunately, this has been corrected and the text seems to me now acceptable. Territorial reform itself, it is another matter. Before making a judgment, I wish to know with precision.

Do you worry that reform giving birth to a mouse: territorial advisors

Without being an elephant, the creation of the territorial Adviser is not a mouse. Closer to the Department and the area is a meaningful reform that allows hiring trends for the future. The opposition is also supported on this plan, a form of anti-étatique hysteria is not very serious. The President of the Association of the regions of France the Socialist Alain Rousset, Editor's note sees the creation of the territorial adviser the departmentalization of the regions, or even their cantonisation. And the President of the General Council of Gironde PS Philippe Madrelle, Editor's note sees the death of the Department. He should know!

What voting method would you suggest to territorial advisors

If it creates large constituencies demographically balanced, the electorates appears to the right track. Need a bit of proportional to ensure greater representation of the minorities Why not, if check that it is well constitutional. However, the move to the vote with a single seems me problematic. It is not in the French tradition and elect someone who, by hypothesis, could meet 35 of the vote does not seem a good signal.

What judgment wear balance at mid-term of Nicolas Sarkozy

He did a lot of things. The response to the crisis was that it should be. Europe has been désembourbée with the signing of the simplified treaty. And most importantly, even if it is more of a continuity that rupture, it is changing the University gives. It is fundamental because it is there that plays French competitiveness. Then, of course, as the head of State on all fronts, does not work and adaptations are sometimes with setbacks, but, overall, the France moves.

Have banks learned the lessons of the crisis

I watched a great newspaper this weekend. On the left, there were Haiti; right, billion bonus that French banks are getting ready to distribute. It is obscene and unacceptable. There is nothing to me to have such excesses and such excess. I hope that the tax at issue in France will arrive.

The Government provides a 50 tax on bonuses beyond 27.500 euros...

If it can't be heard banks, I think that need to go further in Parliament. Always told us: "there is competition, bankers are spinning elsewhere..." "But competition does not justify the immorality.

Should we stop the debate over national identity

It is too late: it took place and is even almost finished with it in or out something new. I will not go to the debate held in Bordeaux last night by the Prefecture. Behind all this, the real question which arises and we dare not ask, it is Islamophobia. Anything that can prepare communities to each other is detestable.

The head of State proposed you the President of the Court of Auditors, do you accept

If I had accepted, this would have involved that I waive my mandate as Mayor of Bordeaux. I do not it the Claret and the Bordelais. The idea that I could annoy me in Bordeaux is an idea that must be out of the head.

And the Government

The question does not arise. There are many ways to serve his country.