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Jean-Marc Ayrault

Presidential press conference: Hollande in the hot seat
17/05/2013 - FACE-OFF

Presidential press conference: Hollande in the hot seat

This Thursday, François Hollande held his second full-fledged press conference at the Elysée Palace. With unemployment skyrocketing, France officially in recession and his popularity at a record-low, the French president used that opportunity to defend his record and promise that year II of his presidency will be a year of action. On Europe, on unemployment and on the explosive reforms of the pension system and family benefits. Will this be enough to ignite a comeback?
Paris c’est magique!
13/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Paris c’est magique!

FRENCH PAPERS, Mon. 13/05/13: Paris Saint-Germain clinched their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Lyon. Also, François Hollande’s government gears up to tackle pension reform, Ségolène Royal releases a book and French papers react to rising tensions on the border between Turkey and Syria.
France and Germany: the end of an era?
09/05/2013 - POLITICS

France and Germany: the end of an era?

"Friendly tension". Since François Hollande uttered those words to describe the relationship with Germany during a TV interview in late March, it seems like a Pandora's box has been opened. After years of keeping mum about France's closest ally in Europe, a number of French Socialists have openly criticised Berlin for imposing harsh austerity measures across Europe. Some have even called for confrontation with Germany. Is this healthy debate, or are we witnessing a real crisis?
François Hollande: how can he rebound?
09/05/2013 - FACE-OFF

François Hollande: how can he rebound?

This week, François Hollande spent a gloomy first birthday at the Elysée palace, with record low popularity, record high unemployment and little reason to believe the end of the tunnel is near. How can he rebound? Marc Perelman asks his guests.
Hollande's first year in power: the president's leadership in question (part 2)
02/05/2013 - POLITICS

Hollande's first year in power: the president's leadership in question (part 2)

After just one year in power, the French president re-defines the word "unpopular". Only a quarter of the French population approve of him. His leadership is in question. Yet he does have several political achievements he can point to. Parliament has authorised gay marriage, François Hollande acted decisively in Mali to take the country back from jihadists and it seems he has managed to distance himself from the lies and deception of his former budget minister.
Hollande's first year in power: struggling to fix the economy (part 1)
02/05/2013 - POLITICS

Hollande's first year in power: struggling to fix the economy (part 1)

French President François Hollande has now been in office for one year, but the Elysée palace is not about to celebrate the anniversary. Hollande came to power riding a wave of discontent that has now turned against him. So what went wrong? The economy, mostly. Unemployment figures have reached an all-time high: more than 3.2 million people are out of work. That means French joblessness is at almost 12%, and it's been rising steadily for two years.
You can tweet in German... but you can't speak English
29/04/2013 - MEDIAWATCH FRANCE

You can tweet in German... but you can't speak English

A new rule seems to apply in the French government: you can tweet in German to appease your closest ally - as the Prime Minister did over the weekend - BUT never, EVER speak English at European or international meetings when acting in an official capacity. Also, different approaches in dealing with theft via the internet. Finally, 14 cats that look like Putin...
'Au revoir' to English, demands French PM
29/04/2013 - FRANCE

'Au revoir' to English, demands French PM

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault urged ministers to avoid using English words instead of French, after industrial renewal minister Arnaud Montebourg launched a new industrial sector for the elderly with the English title "Silver Economy".
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Same sex wedding: calm after the storm?
25/04/2013 - FACE-OFF

Same sex wedding: calm after the storm?

It was supposed to be a cakewalk. But it turned out be a wild ride. The gay marriage bill that was adopted this week ignited a wave of protests and controversy. Will it stop now that the bill has been passed? Also this week, the cabinet examined a bill proposal to moralize public life in the wake of the scandal over the Swiss bank account of the former budget minister. But it seems the ruling socialists are reluctant to embrace the move.
Mali conflict: Once the French have gone... (part 2)
22/04/2013 - THE DEBATE

Mali conflict: Once the French have gone... (part 2)

French lawmakers have given the green light to keeping troops in Mali. Operation Serval began in January, and since then, al Qaeda-linked jihadists have been chased out of Mali's towns and cities. French troops have already begun to leave and the government says that just 1,000 soldiers will remain until the end of the year for training purposes. Laura Baines and her guests discuss whether Mali is really on the path to peace.
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