Claude Perdriel is already considering restructuring

The countdown is started. As expected, two bids were filed yesterday at noon, who will compete for the resumption of the Group Le Monde: that of the trio formed of the businessman Pierre Bergé; Matthieu Pigasse banker and founder of Free Xavier Niel and that of Claude Perdriel, owner of the "Nouvel Observateur", associated with telecom operator Orange and, in extremis, in the Spanish media group Prisa ("El Pais").

Another group of press has created astonishment yesterday expressing his interest in the daily life of the evening: the Group income multimedia of Robert Monteux, who delivered a letter to Credit Agricole CIB (ex-Calyon). But at this stage, according to people close to the record, it's more a statement of intent that offer closes and finalized. Finally, the record has reserved any last minute surprises, a Russian billionaire: in the afternoon yesterday, Gleb Fetisov has also expressed an interest mark.

It is between two blocks of three partners that the members of the Supervisory Board of the "world" and especially society of editors of the "world" (SRM), including the vote will be decisive, will finally have to choose.

The Bergé-Pigasse-Niel trio proposes to re-capitalize the world group to 110 million euros, divided equally between them. The three partners are not voluntary departure plan other than the opening of the assignment clause, which allows any journalist to leave with compensation in the event of change of control of a group of press. They build on the acceleration of digital developments of the "world", through a reconciliation of the paper and Web editors. They are also investing in the offer of the weekend and magazines of the group. They could keep in place management team, who in any case not officially alternative plan for the time being. All three have pledged to not to take operational position in the world group.

Ensure the independence

Finally, they acceded to the core of the SRM applications to ensure the editorial independence of the group titles. Pierre Bergé is also committed to finance the acquisition of parts of the world group by the pole of independence through a foundation. The latter includes companies staff and the company of players, who will thus find a blocking minority.

For its part, the alliance Perdriel-Orange-Prisa would provide EUR 100 million. $ 45 Million would be made by Perdriel, 35 million by Prisa and 20 million by Orange. Moreover, the telecoms operator resume the 34 of Lagardère in the world interactive (LMIA), for 33 million euros. And Prisa redeem, for its part, the 17 of Lagardère in head structure (the world SA), for EUR 7 million: in total, the three partners débourseraient therefore EUR 140 million.

In fine, given initial participation of Prisa (15), and consecutive increases of capital dilutions, Claude Perdriel and Prisa would be parity in the Group worldwide, with 35 each, while that Orange would have 17.5 per cent. Claude Perdriel, who had insisted on its willingness to be operator, should appoint the President of the Executive Board, while Prisa would designate the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Claude Perdriel is already considering restructuring. He indicated that according to him between 110 and 120 people in the group. It relies on the assignment clause to reduce the number of journalists and on voluntary departures for the other employees. There, he also, said to be attached to the editorial independence of the Securities and the establishment of legal locks. He also indicated readiness to offer sales of a title of the group, 20 of the capital of the title in question to its employees.

Candidates will now submit the details of their offers to the representatives of the employees of the "world": trade unions, journalists, etc. Several meetings are planned in the coming days, before personal meetings planned at the weekend. That of the SRM, Friday, June 25, will be crucial: each of the two candidates, wishing to have the support of the journalists of the "world", has already announced that he would if the RS was pronounced against him. A Supervisory Board will meet on June 28 in hopes of closing this file.