Pension reform: 60% of French nationals back further strikes

Stepping up the pressure on president Sarkozy, a recent poll indicates 60% of the population supports the union's plans to continue protesting against pension reform. With a cabinet reshuffle coming up, we take a look at what Jean-Louis Borloo has going for him, since many people are predicting he'll replace François Fillon as Prime Minister. And the work of American photographer Larry Clark continues to spark controversy, this time in Paris. Stay tuned to find out why.

THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Jessica Le Masurier

Presenter

25/12/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

2012: A year in review

We take a look back at a big year for France as the country elected a new President, celebrated at the Oscars and came face-to-face with terrorism. Looking to the future, the government wants to requisition empty buildings to deal with the country's housing crisis and we look at how some French districts are turning to private detectives to put an end to neighborhood nuisances.

18/12/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Bugarach: Apocalypse now

The French village of Bugarach is the place to be if you believe that the world will end on December 21st - we take a look. Meanwhile, in politics, the hatchet seems to have been buried between UMP rivals Fillon and Copé. Finally, we put on our ballet shoes on to follow Paris's "little rats".

11/12/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

The end of Strauss-Kahn's legal saga

This week marks the end of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's legal saga. The former head of the IMF has paid an undisclosed amount to the hotel maid accusing him of attempted rape. Meanwhile, another French celebrity escapes the country's punitive taxes - actor Gérard Depardieu has set up residence in Belgium. Finally, we celebrate Notre Dame's 850th anniversary, as the Parisian cathedral gets a new set of bells for the occasion.

04/12/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

French charity workers on trial

We begin with a trial in Paris that's attracting worldwide attention. Six former members of the charity "Zoe’s Ark" are accused of trying to bring 103 children from Chad to France, passing them off as Sudanese orphans. Next, we look at why young people in France are struggling to rent and buy property. Finally, we check out a new exhibition about hair at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

27/11/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

UMP party: Who benefits from the infighting?

France's main opposition edges towards collapse as political heavyweights François Fillon and Jean-François Copé continue to battle it out for control of the party, more than a week after the leadership vote. Next, we meet relatives of two French citizens who have now been held hostage for a full year in northern Mali. Finally, we go to a boarding school big on discipline: a sloppy tie knot means you're punished.

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Retirement Age in France

by Anonyme - 19/10/2010 - 21:35

As an outside observer in the US it is hard to sympathize with the strikers. Here we have no guarantees. Social Security was never meant to replace a retirement account and today market upheavals and uncertainty makes retirement a tough target to hit. Many have had to alter and change plans with erosion of their investments. Big government debt serves no one well. It would seem that extending retirement in France by two years considering the state of financial affairs is a small consideration.