Competitiveness measures: did the Socialists blink?

Competitiveness... the word was barely uttered by François Hollande during the presidential campaign. But now, barely a day passes without it. The government has announced a new raft of measures aimed at boosting French competitiveness. In doing so, the Socialists are reneging on some of their core commitments at a time when the popularity of the executive is plunging.

FACE-OFF

By FRANCE 24

On the set:

Philip Turle, Journalist, RFI;
John G. Keating, Chief Correspondent, Kuwait News National Agency.

31/01/2013 - FACE-OFF

Gay marriage: will the government blink?

Gay marriage has arrived in Parliament. This week, French MPs began debating a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. The opposition conservatives have promised to fight the bill to the bitter end. Also, France is waging a war in Mali against Islamist groups, with little debate and few images. Is Hollande building his credentials as a real boss?

24/01/2013 - FACE-OFF

François Hollande: the war president

After spending months struggling with the euro, unemployment and a reputation as an indecisive leader, President François Hollande has morphed into General Hollande. He is now heading a war in Mali against Islamist militants, warning that France's national security is at stake. While the outcome of the war remains unclear, our guests discuss whether this conflict could help boost Hollande.

10/01/2013 - FACE-OFF

The Depardieu scandal: is France scaring the rich and famous?

Who said taxes were boring? With the saga of actor Gérard Depardieu's exile in full swing, France has been fixated on how and how much to tax the rich. The issue has become a problem for the ruling Socialists, whose campaign promise to bring more justice and go after the wealthy is now facing a much more complex reality. Also, we discuss how gay marriage has become a lightning rod between the left and the right, seculars and the Church.

20/12/2012 - FACE-OFF

France in 2012: Socialist revolution or politics as usual?

On the menu today: our top story of 2012: the first Socialist elected president in nearly a quarter century. François Hollande ousting incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.The honeymoon didn't last long though for Hollande and his government whose popularity has plummeted steadily since inauguration day back in May. It may be cold comfort for the Socialists but Sarkozy's succession has torn the opposition UMP between supporters of Jean-François Copé and François Fillon.