Trade unions, who are opposed to the deal, say they have had indications that the final details are being discussed -- the FO union has said state-controlled GDF's board was due to meet in the evening and that Suez's board would also meet Sunday.
GDF and Suez declined to comment, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office has also declined to comment on the merger talks.
The unions said details seeping out over the weekend suggested, however, that the endgame was in sight for the deal, which was brokered by the previous conservative government in early 2006 to fend off a feared takeover bid for Suez by Italy's Enel.
A FO union official said Saturday that the plan was for the merged group to focus on the energy businesses, which analysts have said was one way to solve a financial impasse that has cropped up since the merger plans were unveiled.
Suez's market capitalization has increased faster than that of GDF since then, preventing it from being the merger of equals, as was initially envisioned. Analysts have said that for the deal to remain a merger of equals, Suez must shed assets and distribute the receipts of such sales to its shareholders through a special dividend.
And Suez has, sources close to the situation say, bowed to pressure from Sarkozy to split its business and shed part of its historic water assets to salvage the deal.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.