Latest update: 28/10/2009 

- agriculture - Charles Pasqua - football - French Press Review - Nicolas Sarkozy


Sarkozy links national identity to farming

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

The French President has announced a massive emergency aid package for French farmers, saying that “France has a carnal link with agriculture…which is part of our national identity”.

IN THE PAPERS
By James CREEDON

Business paper La Tribune leads with Nicolas Sarkozy’s announcement of a massive state aid package worth 1.65 billion euros for France’s farmers. Incomes in agriculture dropped by 20% last year and a similar drop is expected in the figures for 2009. The package is made up of €1 billion in bank loans over five years and €650,000 in direct state aid.

Paris did not consult the European Commission in advance of the move. Brussels may question the compatibility of the aid package with EU competition laws.

Nicolas Sarkozy also managed to speak about national identity - the buzz phrase of the week since the Immigration Minister called for a big debate on the matter.

“France has a carnal link with agriculture and…with the earth. The Earth is part of our national identity,” he said.

Le Figaro also covered the news saying the President was given a massive welcome by farming unions. They got about 80% of the aid they requested.

Other stories covered in today’s French papers:

Liberation
Pasqua pays the price

A Paris court handed down tough sentences yesterday for those involved in the Angolagate scandal for the illegal sale of arms to Angola in the 1990s. A former minister, Charles Pasqua was handed down a one-year prison sentence.

La Croix
Young people not afraid of the crisis

A poll shows that a majority of 15 – 25 year olds still believe in their future, despite the crisis.

Le Monde
Football hooliganism is condemned in an article in Le Monde which says the cancellation of a Paris Saint Germain – Olympique Marseille match on Sunday is no excuse for the violence that ensued.

 

How should Sarkozy declare his love - for France?
14/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

How should Sarkozy declare his love - for France?

The papers are starting to get bored of waiting for the president to announce he is officially running for a second term - but the general consensus is that the announcement is set for tomorrow. There's also widespread sympathy for Greece.
'Through flames and tears'
13/02/2012 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Through flames and tears'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Mon. 13/02/12, Many international dailies inside and outside Greek focus on teh Greek austerity bill voted in by MPS as protesters clashed with police outside Parliament. Meanwhile, papers across the world pay tribute to Whitney Houston, a truly global pop icon.
'Sarkozy: a candidate this week'
13/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Sarkozy: a candidate this week'

FRENCH PAPERS, Mon. 13/02/12. According to Le Figaro, Nicolas Sarkozy will announce he’s running for a second term between now and the end of the week. The right-leaning paper says that although on paper everything is against him, he will still win the election. The Communist paper L’Humanité says Sarkozy is pandering to potential voters from the far-right.
'Bloodbath in Homs'
10/02/2012 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

'Bloodbath in Homs'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Fri. 10/02/12. Syria is the focus of many international papers. Asharq Alawsat gives a detailed account on the ongoing violence in Homs. Meanwhile, The Guardian focuses on the diplomatic side of the crisis. The Chinese ambassador to the UK explains just why China voted no to the draft UN resolution on Syria.
Renault vs. Made in France
10/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Renault vs. Made in France

FRENCH PAPERS, Fri. 10/02/12, French papers react to a sneak peak of Nicolas Sarkozy’s interview in Le Figaro Magazine that will be published tomorrow. Le Figaro applauds the President and his values, while left-leaning Libération calls him "reactionary". Meanwhile, a lot of the French press focuses on the controversy sparked by French car-maker Renault which has decided to build a factory in Morocco.

Comments
Post new comment
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.

Related Content
Close