Confusion reigned today over plans for partial privatisation of French postal operator La Postefollowing conflicting comments by senior government officials.
The government has set up a special commission of public figures to consider plans torestructure La Poste from an autonomous organisation into a limited company in 2010 and then floata minority holding on the stock exchange in 2011. The aim of the IPO would be to raise €2.5 – €3.5billion for growth activities against the background of full EU postal liberalisation in 2011.
The commission is due to issue its report on the plan in December. But in early October PrimeMinister François Fillon already ruled out the possibility of La Poste’s privatisation in anewspaper interview.
Yesterday, Henri Guaino, a senior advisor to President Nicolas Sarkozy, told the Europe 1radio station that “it had never been a question of privatising La Poste. And there is no questionin the situation where we find ourselves of opening up the capital of La Poste at the moment.” Buthe later clarified his comments, saying no decision had yet been taken on the issue.
Today, labour minister Xavier Bertrand told French media that the decision on whether topartially privatise La Poste would be taken in January based on the conclusions of the officialcommission. But he also commented that from today’s perspective a move to the capital market was “not the only solution”.
Meanwhile, French unions are planning another national day of protest against any change inLa Poste’s status on November 22.
