Latest update : 2010-03-24
Sarkozy backs down from plan to tax carbon dioxide emissions
One of Sarkozy’s most prominent initiatives, the so-called ‘carbon tax’, has been shelved. The French Prime Minister François Fillon has deferred the proposed tax indefinitely as the UMP party attempts to win back voters after catastrophic regional elections. WEDNESDAY, 24th MARCH 2010
Both Libération and le Figaro lead with the deferral of Sarkozy’s proposed “carbon tax”. Libération’s editorial says that while the carbon tax was never popular with the UMP party on the ground, Sarkozy had defended it vociferously. This is an embarrassing turn around for the President who had branded the tax as his initiative which other European countries should also adopt in a bid to limit carbon emissions. We’ll trust him less now that he has gone back on a key measure, says Libération.
“The French electorate sent a message in the regional elections: we don’t believe in you any more. Nicolas Sarkozy answered yesterday that they were right to think this.”
Other articles in today’s French papers:
Le Figaro: Fillon delays the carbon tax
La Tribune: editorial on carbon tax
Le Parisien : Ségolène Royal does not rule out Presidential bid
France Soir: “The battle of the ladies”
Aujourd’hui en France: French company to provide new Roosevelt Island cable car
L’Equipe: Amateur team Quevilly qualify for semi-finals of Coupe de France
Normandie: Quevilly celebrate victory over Boulogne
