Latest update: 02/07/2012 

- François Hollande - French economy - French politics - immigration - Socialist Party (France)


Death on the Mediterranean

In today's French papers: the government has 29 days to undo five years of Sarkozy's policies, the scandal of well-heeled families taking up social housing meant for the poor, and murder on the high seas.

By Kyle G. Brown

Francois Hollande's government will announce a number of budget measures this month that will set economic policy over the next five years. Liberation says Hollande has 29 days to undo five years of Sarkozy policies. We've heard much of the new tax on the wealthy, and on oil companies and banks. But expect some austere policies and budget freezes - civil servants could see a pay cut. 

Away from the parties, the politics of housing. According to Le Parisien, almost 400,000 social housing units are being occupied by middle class families, while hundreds of thousands wait on housing lists. 

Further afield, a scandal of bigger proportions is growing. African migrants on crowded boats trying to make their way from North Africa last year ran out of petrol and drifted in the Mediterranean for days. Several people died, even as international ships and NATO helicopters were in the area. L'Humanité has an exclusive interview with one of the survivors.

Human rights: François Hollande's silence
25/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Human rights: François Hollande's silence

IN THE FRENCH PAPERS - 25/04/13: French papers react to François Hollande's first ever visit to China. Libération says Hollande is wrong to remain silent about human rights abuses there. Meanwhile, Les Echos says the government's refusal of a bill put forward by the Communist party marks the divorce between the Socialists and the far-left.
'The British businessman who sold fake bomb detectors to Iraq'
24/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'The British businessman who sold fake bomb detectors to Iraq'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Weds. 25/04/13: Haaretz explores why the US is so reluctant to back Israel's claims that Syria has repeatedly used chemical weapons. Meanwhile, the Independent explains how a British tycoon managed to trick Iraq into buying millions of pounds worth of fake bomb detectors - a scam with a very tragic human cost. Finally, the Independent says George W. Bush could be on the road to rehabilitation with his new presidential library.
Let the gay weddings begin!
24/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Let the gay weddings begin!

FRENCH PAPERS, Weds. 25/04/13: French papers react to the legalisation of gay marriage here in France after a final vote in Parliament yesterday. The left applauds a "historic" day, while the right wonders what there is to celebrate about such a divisive law. Also, are European leaders starting to change their minds about the effectiveness of austerity policies?
'Terrorism and justice'
23/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Terrorism and justice'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Tues. 23/04/13: Canadian papers react to the arrest of two men who were allegedly planning to attack a passenger train in Toronto. Meanwhile, international papers continue to react to the Boston Marathon bombings. The Christian Science Monitor explores what the motive could be and why it’s important to know why the attacks happened. Meanwhile, the Guardian takes a closer look at the role played by social media.
'Gay marriage: long live the newlyweds!'
23/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Gay marriage: long live the newlyweds!'

FRENCH PAPERS, Tues. 23/04/13: French papers react to the impending vote in Parliament to legalize gay marriage. Liberation says this is proof that progress is not dead. Right-wing politicians say they’ll repeal the law if they return to power. But Catholic paper La Croix points out that this would be tricky. Le Parisien says the first gay weddings could take place in June.

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