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French “bling bling ministers” resign

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In today’s press review, we focus on the resignation of two French ministers, accused of spending public money on private jets and cigars.

IN THE PAPERS
By Aurore Cloe DUPUIS

France Soir headlines with “Virés”, meaning “fired” in French.
 
The development minister Alain Joyandet and junior minister Christian Blanc were urged to step down after revelations by the weekly Le Canard Enchainé, a couple of months ago.
 
Joyandet allegedly hired a private jet for more than 100,000 euros while Blanc reportedly spent 12,000 euros on Cuban cigars.
 
 
The right-wing newspaper Le Figaro says the news comes as a surprise, as the Government reshuffle was scheduled in autumn. Its editorial says President Sarkozy needs to be “ruthless” and force his ministers to lead less “bling bling” lifestyles.
 
 
Meanwhile, the left wing daily Libération reports that 64% of the French believe that French politicians are corrupt.
 
Aujourd’hui en France describes a “Government Big Bang”, saying that their resignations could lead to further heads rolling. It points the finger at Labour minister Eric Woerth, accused of knowing about France’s richest woman’s alleged tax fraud.
 
In other news, the French Assembly is due to discuss whether to make hostages and their families pay for ransoms themselves.
 
And finally, Le Figaro paints a portrait of the man supposed to save French football, Laurent Blanc.

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Calling from the top of the world
22/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Calling from the top of the world

International papers are speculating on the upcoming elections in Iran, after former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is excluded from the vote. Columnists in the US are still up in arms over attacks on press freedoms, in the wake of a wiretapping scandal involving the Department of Justice and the Associated Press. And a high-altitude phone call lands one mountaineer in big trouble in Nepal.
A Suicide in the Cathedral
22/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

A Suicide in the Cathedral

French dailies are dominated by the European summit in Brussels, where leaders are pushing to clamp down on tax havens. The suicide of a man in Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral sparks the admiration of far-right politicians. And Algerians are still left wondering about the state of president Bouteflika’s health, as well as his whereabouts.
'Words vs. pictures'
21/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Words vs. pictures'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Tues. 21/05/13: Papers react to the deadly tornado that ripped through a suburb of Oklahoma City. Also, an Israeli committee says there is no evidence Israel was responsible for the death of 12-year-old Muhammad al-Dura in 2000. A video allegedly showing his death fanned the flames of the Second Intifada. But the Israeli papers wonder if putting the picture back in people’s minds won't cause Israel more harm than good.
Bad weather: bad for morale, bad for the economy
21/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Bad weather: bad for morale, bad for the economy

FRENCH PAPERS, Tues. 21/05/13: Bad weather dominates the French papers today. Aujourd’hui en France looks at the negative impact it’s having on France’s economy. Also, Libération’s front page is in English today! It's an original response to outrage over a government plan to relax a ban on the use of English in French universities.

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