Therefore it was clear that trust was broken

Things have not dragged. A few weeks after taking control of the "world", on 2 November, the new shareholders Pierre Bergé, Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse decided that his future would write with a new Board of Directors. At a Council of fairly stormy monitoring yesterday, they were indeed revoked Eric Fottorino for his duties as President of the Executive Board of the group. He was replaced in this position by Louis Dreyfus, current CEO of the weekly magazine "Les inrockuptibles", Matthieu Pigasse also owns. At forty years old, a graduate of HEC and former student of the LSE, the new strong man of the "world" previously led "Liberation", then "The new observer".

Eric Fottorino will be also revoked of his duties as Director of the daily in the evening, a function it retains on an interim basis pending the appointment of his (or her) successor in this post. It should intervene in the "first weeks of 2011, at the end of a process implemented in consultation with the SRM (society of editors of the"world"), according to a release issued by the Supervisory Board." Statutorily, the RS must approve the new Director of the daily at 60. Many names have circulated these days, some from outside, other internal. Sylvie Kauffmann, current Director of the writing, is a "natural" candidate, but it has so this ecarte this solution by loyalty to Eric Fottorino. "Now the place is free, the nominations are likely to multiply," prognostic a journalist.

The Vice-President of the Executive Board and Director General of the group, David Guiraud, had in turn accepted a transaction and resigned a few hours earlier. He was not present at the Council of yesterday. A transaction has also been proposed to Eric Fottorino, who refused.

David Guiraud and Eric Fottorino departures are not really a surprise. Their relations with shareholders to were significantly degraded in recent weeks. Especially since the start of the mission entrusted to Michael Boukobza, former right arm of Xavier Niel in Iliad: dubbed "Fatal Bazooka" internally, it grind a few teeth by removing service cars and some notes of costs. Its brutal methods, particularly, have disturbed, to the point that a letter was written by Eric Fottorino week last to Louis Dreyfus, denouncing "a moral harassment which does not say his name" ("Les Echos" from December 9). Therefore, it was clear that trust was broken.

Numerous employees also expressed shocked and worried about, then a general staff meeting held yesterday afternoon. Gilles Van Kote, President of the RS, is used to reassure them.

The Supervisory Board gave rise to another blow of theatre, the surprise resignation of Louis Schweitzer at the beginning of session. "He particularly deplored the methods of the purchasers", says one participant. As expected, Pierre Bergé was appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Gilles Van Kote Vice President.

Strategy announced in January

Were finally reviewed the budget and the major strategic options. After a loss of EUR 20 million this year (including the assignment clause and financial charges), the Group should return to financial balance year next thanks to savings. The upcoming strategy on the daily should be defined by the new Director, but we already know that the offer of the weekend will be renewed and extended from September. Digital convergence will be further accentuated. First step, the Director of the writing of the daily will now have authority on the monde.fr. Finally, four boards of the group will be reconciled. Strategy on the printing press, it will be announced in January. The three purchasers should present these strategic thrusts directly to employees early January.