What angered the President of the Republic

Officially, his estate is not launched, but the fate of Pierre Gadonneix seems sealed. Since he has campaigned for a 20 increase in rates of electricity in three years, the CEO of EDF is criticized from all sides. After Henri Guaino, Special Adviser to the Elysee Palace, who felt last Monday that it would be "abnormal" that the French pay "investment errors" EDF abroad, Claude Guéant handed over a layer, yesterday on Europe 1. The Secretary General of the Elysee found "regrettable that the Chairman of EDF concerned the French" with the announcement of such increases. "He knows very well that the Government will not take such proportions."

"The estate of Pierre Gadonneix is not the order of the day", has tempered yesterday a spokesman for the Elysee Palace. Nevertheless, support, it is better. Despite his 66 years, Pierre Gadonneix looked yet good to extend by two years its mandate, which ends in November. Especially after the appointment in May of Stéphane Richard to lead France Telecom.

Already fixed on his fate

The former Director of Office of Christine Lagarde at the Ministry of finance was the favorite candidate of Nicolas Sarkozy to take the head of the public electrician. But since then, the wind turned to the CEO of EDF. "Pierre Gadonneix knows that he is going and it was said," said a well-informed source. At most, could remain until January.

Clearly, the pattern of EDF was set on his fate before launching his campaign on the rates. In fact, human is rather famous for his caution, even if it does not exclude a certain boldness as shown by its various acquisitions. "He wanted to tell the truth on prices before you go", says a close. Only problem, he clearly went a little further that what was agreed with his guardianship. What angered the President of the Republic. "The extension of its mandate to EDF, is even not the punishment that Gadonneix think", would have said Nicolas Sarkozy in his collaborators, according to "Duck chained".

The question of his successor. Candidates are not. Henri Guaino has always nurtured ambitions in this direction. Anne Lauvergeon, President of Areva, has often been cited in the past, but his independence of mind is not always to the liking of its public shareholder.

The name that is more today is that of Henri Proglio, Chairman of Veolia, who had refused the position in 2004 but would now ready for the challenge. Already a member of the Board of Directors, he has the support of the CGT but Nicolas Sarkozy. He was part of its guests in the evening at Fouquet's evening of his election.

Go head held high

One thing is sure, if it must go, Pierre Gadonneix wants to leave its head high. He intends to take advantage of the publication of the half-year results, on 30 July, to defend his record and his communication. He recalled no doubt on this occasion that the electrician is in need of fare increases to finance its investments in growth. But also that the debt incurred to finance foreign acquisitions, including that of British Energy, has so far provided by foreign subsidiaries. Its supporters will be able to add that these acquisitions were decided with the approval of the State shareholder of 84.