GDF privatization by late June

Resumen de Prensa            Enervía, miércoles, 27 abril 2005

FUENTE: Platts


GDF will likely be partially privatized mid to late June because the French government will not want to "muddy the waters" by partially privatizing the company in the run-up to the French referendum on the EU constitution, to take place on May 29, an informed industry source said Tuesday. The fact there has been no announcement of a date for GDF's partial privatization probably meant that it was not likely to happen before May 29, he added. A spokesman for the economy ministry said no date for the opening of capital of GDF had been decided. It is the government, as shareholder of GDF who decides when the privatization will begin. Another industry participant said Tuesday "the no vote is so high in the political agenda", adding that the government will not want to "stir" or "scare" the public before the vote takes place as they don't want to jeopardize the outcome of the referendum. At the same time, he added, it is unlikely the outcome of the referendum will affect the privatization schedule.