France Deploys One LHD And Two Frigates To The Eastern Mediterranean

The Tonnerre ship can carry helicopters, armored vehicles, tanks and troops | Laura Kayali/POLITICO  

Politico: The EU prepares for war — and this French ship is the tip of the spear 

France’s powerful amphibious helicopter carrier is a floating village with gyms and a boulangerie … plus missiles, machine guns, landing craft, choppers and tanks. 

ABOARD THE FRENCH HELICOPTER CARRIER TONNERRE — John Denver’s "Country Roads," a folk song from 1971, resounds through the Tonnerre. 

It’s 7:30 a.m., and some of the crew aboard the Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carrier are already eating breakfast — loading up on coffee, bread and jam ahead of a planned exercise to storm a Spanish beach. It's been a short night, and plans for the landing have changed several times. 

The French assault vessel — 199 meters long, 32 meters wide and able to carry 21,500 metric tons — is a key element in the European Union’s first live military exercise in October off the southern coast of Spain.  

Read more .... 

 France Deploys One LHD And Two Frigates To The Eastern Mediterranean 

France Deploys One LHD, Two Frigates to the Eastern Mediterranean -- Naval News  

France sends Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Tonnerre to help Gaza -- Navy Recognition  

French Tonnerre: Why Macron is sending the ship to Gaza -- BBC

France's National Assembly Approves Bill That Will Allow The Police To Spy On Suspects By Remotely Activating Their Camera, Microphone And GPS Of Their Phones And Other Devices

The National Assembly in France adopted article 3 of the Justice bill which authorizes the authorities to remotely activate the cameras and microphones of telephones or other connected devices without the knowledge of the persons concerned.

80 votes for, 24 against ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/s5mG7ounIz

— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) July 5, 2023

AFP: France set to allow police to spy on suspects through phones  

PARIS - French police should be able to spy on suspects by remotely activating the camera, microphone and GPS of their phones and other devices, lawmakers agreed late Wednesday. 

Part of a wider justice reform bill, the spying provision has been attacked by the left and rights defenders as an authoritarian snoopers’ charter, though Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti insists it would affect only “dozens of cases a year”. 

Covering laptops, cars and other connected objects as well as phones, the measure would allow geolocation of suspects in crimes punishable by at least five years’ jail.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Any doubts that the government can use our cell phones to watch and listen to what we do via through our cell phones without us knowing has now been put to rest by this story.

French President Macros Warns He Will 'Cut Off' Social Media If Riots Worsen

 

France 24: Macron's call to 'cut off' social media during riots sparks backlash in France 

President Emmanuel Macron's government faced a backlash Wednesday after the centrist leader called for powers to "cut off" social media in case of widespread violence like riots over the past week. 

"We have to think about the social networks, about the bans we'll have to put in place. When things get out of control, we might need to be able to regulate or cut them off," Macron told a meeting of mayors on Tuesday according to media reports.

Macron and his ministers have singled out platforms like Snapchat, TikTok and encrypted messenger Telegram for their role in spreading images of the nights of violence following the June 27 police shooting of a 17-year-old teenager, Nahel M. 

"When (social media) becomes a tool for organising or for attempting to kill, it's a real problem," Macron said.  

Read more .... 

French President Macros Warns He Will 'Cut Off' Social Media If Riots Worsen  

Macron mulls social media shutdowns to contain civil disorder -- EurActiv 

Macron accused of authoritarianism after threat to cut off social media -- The Guardian  

Macron floats social media cuts during riots -- Politico 

Violent protests prompt French president to consider 'suspending social media tools' -- Euronews  

Macron Says May Shut Down Social Media in France If Riots Worsen -- Sputnik

French Riots Ease But Tensions Persist

 

CNN: Riots in France have already cost businesses more than $1 billion 

 Just weeks after hugely disruptive protests and strikes over pension reforms in France finally died down, businesses in the country are grappling with the fallout from a week of rioting. 

The riots, which were sparked by the fatal shooting of a teenager by a police officer last Tuesday, have already caused more than €1 billion ($1.1 billion) worth of damage, according to a French business association, MEDEF. 

Protesters have attacked nearly 400 bank branches and 500 corner shops, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told CNN affiliate BFMTV Wednesday. Speaking to CNN’s Isa Soares Tuesday, Le Maire put the total number of looted stores at 1,000, adding that the businesses were being supported by the government.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Former British diplomat Alastair Crooke's take on the current unrest in France and Europe is spot on (check the beginning of the video below). 

 

French Riots Ease But Tensions Persist  

France riots: Night of relative calm but tensions persist -- Reuters  

France sees fewer arrests as riots ease -- DW  

Macron government shifts stance on police violence to quell unrest after death of teen -- France 24  

France riots: 'For the politicians we are nothing' -- BBC

Another Night Of Riots In France

 

Daily Mail: Police make 719 arrests as France burns for a fifth night: Rioters ram mayor's home with a burning car 'in assassination attempt' that left his wife and children injured as protests sparked by police 'execution' of boy, 17, escalate 

* Mayor Vincent Jeanbrun says rioters rammed a burning car into his family home 

* The alleged 'assassination attempt' left his wife and one of his children injured 

Rioters rammed a burning car into the home of a mayor of a town outside Paris, injuring his wife and child in what he has branded as an 'assassination attempt'. 

The attack in the early house of Sunday on Vincent Jeanbrun's home in the Paris suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses came as 719 people were arrested in France following widespread rioting. 

Mayor Vincent Jeanbrun wrote on Twitter that protesters had 'rammed a car' into his home before 'setting a fire' while his family slept. Following the attack, he vowed to 'not back down' and said his 'determination to protect and serve the Republic is greater than ever'.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The violence is spreading to other countries .... France In Crisis For Fifth Night As Violence Spreads To Neighboring Countries (Zero Hedge). 

More News On the Unrest In France

Live: Macron to meet with some 220 mayors of towns that have witnessed riots on Tuesday -- France 24  

700 arrested in fifth night of French riots; mayor's home attacked -- AP  

Grandmother of teen killed in police stop calls for calm, as France prepares for sixth night of violence -- CNN  

‘Stop rioting, stop destroying’: victim’s grandmother calls for calm in France -- The Guardian  

France Protests: Hundreds Arrested in Fifth Night of Unrest After Police Shooting -- New York Times  

Paris riots: Suburban mayor's wife hurt as rioters attack their home -- BBC 

French PM slams 'particularly shocking' attack on mayor's home -- France 24 

‘There is no hope’: simmering anger boils over in poverty-riven French district -- The Guardian

Unrest In France: More Than 1,300 Arrested As Riots Surge In Marseille And Lyon

 

The Guardian: France protests: more than 1,300 arrested as riots surge in Marseille and Lyon 

Fourth night of demonstrations sees 45,000 police deployed as authorities claim the situation is calmer 

More than 1,300 people were arrested in a fourth night of violence in France after the police shooting of a 17-year-old boy. 

Forty-five thousand police officers, including special forces, were deployed to respond to rioting across the country on Friday night, with the situation in two big cities – Marseille and Lyon – highlighted as particularly chaotic, with buildings and vehicles torched and stores looted. 

The ministry of the interior reported that 1,311 people were arrested overnight, while 79 police officers and gendarmes were injured and 2,500 fires were recorded.  

Read more .... 

 More News On the Unrest In France 

Live: Macron postpones state visit to Germany as funeral held for teen killed by police -- France 24  

Violence sporadic but 'less intense': Key events from the fourth night of unrest in France -- France 24  

Live: Police reinforcements sent to French cities amid fears of more riots -- BBC  

France riots live: Macron cancels Germany trip amid days of unrest and thousands of arrests -- The Guardian 

France riots updates: Macron postpones Germany trip amid unrest -- DW  

Macron scraps trip amid rioting across France, as loved ones bury teen slain by police -- AP  

Macron cancels trip over French riots as family buries teenager -- Reuters  

'I'll put a bullet in your head': Passenger says French police threatened 17-year-old before shooting him as funeral begins, officers say 'we are at war' and Brits are warned of dangers of travelling to France after massive overnight rioting -- Daily Mail  

Funeral held for French teenager after more than 1,300 detained in fourth night of protests -- CNN  

France riots: Nanterre rocked by killing and unrest -- BBC

Another Night Of Widespread Rioting In France

 

Daily Mail: Rioting and looting spreads across France and into Belgium after 'execution' killing of teenage driver: Fury at President Macron as he parties with Elton John as his country burns 

* A third night of mayhem saw violent clashes spreading across Europe last night 

* Macron was criticised by an MEP for 'applauding' John while Paris was on fire 

Rioting and looting spread across Europe last night after the 'execution' killing of a teenager in Paris - as pictures emerged of President Emmanuel Macron partying with Elton John while his country burnt, triggering a furious backlash. 

Mr Macron was filmed at Paris's Accor Arena on Wednesday evening, watching the singer on his farewell tour, while rioters caused mayhem in the capital following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old identified as Nahel on Tuesday. 

The French President was snapped arm in arm with the legendary 76-year-old artist - who he bestowed France's Legion of Honour award - alongside his wife Brigitte.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is what I call an easy prediction .... ‘There’s so much anger’: France braces for more rioting over police shooting (The Guardian). 

Another Night Of Widespread Rioting In France  

Live: Macron denounces ‘exploitation of adolescent’s death’ in violent protests in France -- France 24  

Live: Macron tells parents to keep children out of France riots -- BBC  

Live Updates: France riots: Macron tells parents to keep kids off streets -- DW 

France riots: Marseille bans public demonstrations after protests, violence and looting across country – latest updates -- The Guardian

Updates: France sees third night of violence amid protests over fatal police shooting of teen -- France 24  

French president urges parents to keep teens at home to quell rioting spreading across France -- AP 

Macron calls crisis talks after another night of violence across France, with more than 800 arrested -- Politico  

France hit by third night of riots over police killing teen -- DW 

France riots: "all options" considered after third night of violence since fatal shooting -- Reuters 

More than 400 arrested as third night of violent protest sweeps France after 17-year-old shot dead by police -- CNN

France Sees Third Night Of Violence Following The Fatal Police Shooting Of A Teenage Boy

CNN: France sees third night of violence after 17-year-old shot dead by police  

Paris CNN — Parisian suburbs imposed curfews on Thursday as France saw a third night of protests across the country following the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy that was captured on video. 

France’s elite police force, the RAID, were deployed to the cities of Bordeaux, Lyon, Roubaix and Lille, to help contain the protests.

 Confrontations flared up between protesters and police in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre – where the 17-year-old named Nahel was killed days before – and in the southern port city of Marseille, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported. 

Amid burning debris, “vengeance pour Nael” appeared to be spray painted on a wall in Nanterre, which translates to “revenge for Nael” in reference to the slain teenager, according to footage from the suburb.  

Read more .... 

 France Sees Third Night Of Violence Following The Fatal Police Shooting Of A Teenage Boy 

Live: French police brace for more violent protests as Paris suburb declares curfew -- France 24 

Live: Police who killed teen apologises as France clashes rage -- BBC 

Live: France: Policeman charged over teen's fatal shooting -- DW  

France mobilizes tens of thousands of police to head off unrest after police fatally shot a teenager -- AP  

France police shooting: violence erupts for a third consecutive night -- The Guardian 

France to deploy 40000 officers amid protests after fatal police shooting of teen driver -- USA Today  

France deploys 40,000 police as Macron seeks to avoid 2005 riots rerun -- Politico 

French police arrest 180 people amid violent unrest over fatal shooting of teenager -- ABC News Australia

‘There’s so much anger’: France braces for more rioting over police shooting -- The Guardian  

France: Shooting of teenager sparks police violence debate -- DW

Fitch Credit Agency Downgrades France To AA-

Fitch agency cuts France’s debt rating to 'AA-', revises up outlook to stable © Miguel Medina, AFP  

France 24: Fitch agency cuts France’s debt rating to 'AA-', revises up outlook to stable 

Fitch on Friday cut France's sovereign credit rating by one notch to 'AA-', citing a potential political deadlock and social movements that are posing risks to President Emmanuel Macron's reform agenda. 

"Social and political pressures illustrated by the protests against the pension reform will complicate fiscal consolidation," the global credit ratings agency said. 

Fitch, which also revised up the country's outlook to stable from negative, said the French economy will expand by 0.8% this year, in line with the euro zone average but below the agency's 1.1% growth forecast in its last review in November. 

The economy trudged up slightly in the first quarter despite a series of strikes against the government's pension reform bill, but inflation remained stubbornly high.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Fitch cuts France's rating to 'AA-', revises up outlook to stable (Reuters)  

Update #2: Fitch Downgrades France To AA-, Cites Civil Unrest As Major Risk (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: The Fitch report is here .... Fitch Downgrades France to 'AA-'; Outlook Stable (Fitch Ratings).

Backlash After Macron's Taiwan Comments And The Need For Europe To Stand Apart From The U.S.

Macron’s Taiwan comments anger allies, delight Beijing © Jacques Witt/AP  

Washington Post: Macron's Taiwan comments anger allies, delight Beijing 

BRUSSELS — More people are mad at French President Emmanuel Macron. 

 After weeks of protests over an unpopular pension overhaul plan at home, the French president now faces outrage from allies abroad over his chummy trip to China and remarks on the need for Europe to stand apart from the United States on Taiwan and other issues. 

The visit and its aftermath have angered politicians and analysts on both sides of the Atlantic, highlighting gaps between the U.S. and French approach to China, showcasing division within the Eropean Union — and probably delighting Beijing. 

The interview in question took place during a three-day visit to China that raised eyebrows for its surprisingly upbeat tone, considering that Beijing has yet to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There has been a lot of reaction among lawmakers in the U.S. .... GOP lawmakers condemn French President Macron's 'betrayal' of Taiwan (Politico).  

Update: It looks like it .... France Has Already Surrendered To The Coming Conflict (Zero Hedge) 

Backlash After Macron's Taiwan Comments And The Need For Europe To Stand Apart From The U.S.  

Macron sparks anger by saying Europe should not be ‘vassal’ in US-China clash -- The Guardian  

Macron's comments on Taiwan spark controversy about EU-China relations -- Euronews  

China hawks tell Macron: You don’t speak for Europe -- Politico.eu  

Backlash from Macron's China visit -- GZero 

France's Macron picks a needless fight with the United States -- NYPost

Protests In France Against Macron’s Pension Reforms Escalate

 

France 24: Macron holds crisis meeting as more France protests loom 

French President Emmanuel Macron summoned government ministers for a crisis meeting on Monday, as tensions ran high a day before another major round of strikes and protests against his pension reforms. 

Nearly two weeks after Macron rammed the new law through parliament using a special provision sidestepping any vote, unions have vowed no let-up in mass protests to get the government to back down. 

They have called for another big day of action on Tuesday, the 10th such mobilisation since protests started in mid-January against the controversial law, which includes raising the retirement age to 64 from 62.

Macron, whose approval ratings in opinion polls are at a low point, said last week he accepted the "unpopularity" that came with the reform. 

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, meanwhile, said that while there was no plan to drop the legislation, she was ready for fresh dialogue with unions.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Protests in France against Macron’s pension reforms escalate as police use 4,000 nonlethal dispersion grenades (FOX News)  

Update #2: French PM Borne reaches out to opposition, unions ahead of new protests (France 24)

 WNU Editor: You do have your surreal moments (see video below).

French diners enjoy wine as fire lit by protesters burns nearby | ABC News https://t.co/eY2W5WguAP via @YouTube

— War News Updates (@WarNewsUpdates) March 27, 2023

Widespread Arrests And Injuries In France As Pension Reform Protests Continue

 

France 24: At least 457 people arrested, 441 security forces injured in violent French pension protests 

A total of 457 people were arrested and 441 security forces injured on Thursday during nationwide protests against French President Emmanuel Macron’s pensions reform, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. 

Speaking to the CNews channel on Friday morning, Darmanin also said that there had been 903 fires lit in the streets of Paris during by far the most violent day of protests since they began in January. 

“There were a lot of demonstrations and some of them turned violent, notably in Paris,” Darmanin added, saying the toll was “difficult” while praising the police for protecting the more than million people who marched around France.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: France: Nationwide strikes, protests as Macron defiant (DW)  

Update #2: Calls for more pensions protests as hundreds arrested in France (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: French President Macron is doubling down on his reforms .... Pension reform: French government will not 'yield to violence' Macron says (France 24). More here .... France's Macron says will not yield to pension protests (Reuters).

French Riots And Mass Protests Continue In France

 

Daily Mail: Chaos in France as police fire tear gas at protesters and baton-charge crowds in Paris where '800,000' marched against pension reforms - and Bordeaux town hall goes up in flames amid riots 

* Five thousands police officers were on the streets of Paris today for protests 

* A record number marched through Paris with over 1 million protesting nationally 

There has been fresh chaos across France today with protestors clashing with police, as over a million people demonstrated against the controversial pension reforms pushed through parliament last week. 

As nationwide demonstrations enter their ninth night, striking images showed huge a huge blaze erupting in the western city of Bordeaux. 

Firemen had to put out flames which were engulfing the front door of the town hall there, as crowds of protestors watched on.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: No red carpet for King Charles .... French strikers won’t provide red carpets for King Charles’s ill-timed visit (The Guardian). 

French Riots And Mass Protests Continue In France 

Mass protests in France after Macron vows to continue with pension reform -- France 24

France: Nationwide strikes, protests as Macron defiant -- DW  

France strikes intensify as anger mounts over retirement age hike -- Washington Post 

France protests said to be ‘out of control’ -- RT  

Bordeaux city hall set on fire amid nationwide protests against French pension changes -- The Guardian  

Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pension protests -- BBC  

‘Democracy at stake’: French protesters vent fury at Macron over pension push -- France 24 

French reforms: Macron refuses to give way as pension protests escalate -- BBC

French Government Facing A No-Confidence Vote Over Pension Reforms Amid Nationwide Protests

 

CNBC: France’s Macron faces no-confidence vote as protestors arrested, refinery strikes continue 

* The government of French President Emmanuel Macron faces a no-confidence vote Monday afternoon. 

* If the no-confidence vote fails, a bill which will see the retirement age rise from 62 to 64 for most workers by 2030 will go through. If the vote passes, Macron will either appoint a fresh government with a new prime minister or dissolve parliament, triggering new elections. 

* Ongoing strikes and protests over the bill have rocked the country. 

The government of French President Emmanuel Macron faces a no-confidence vote Monday afternoon, as furious opposition lawmakers contest his decision to force changes to the pension system through parliament without a poll.

Two no-confidence motions have been filed — one by a coalition of centrist and left-wing parties, and a second by the far-right National Rally, which is expected to also back the former. 

Analysts told CNBC on Friday that Macron’s opponents were unlikely to reach the required 287 out of 577 votes. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The expectation is that the government will survive this no-confidence vote. But the protests and strikes will continue. 

French Government Facing A No-Confidence Vote Over Pension Reforms Amid Nationwide Protests  

France pension reform: Macron's government faces no confidence vote -- BBC  

French government fights to survive 2 no-confidence motions -- AP  

Macron's government faces 'moment of truth' over pension reform -- Reuters  

Macron faces no-confidence votes amid nationwide protests -- Politico

Widespread Protests In France After Macron Passes Pension Reforms

Major protests erupted in Paris after Macron forced through his pension reform without a vote. Power to the workers of France! pic.twitter.com/Ihuak8Wi07

— Paweł Wargan (@pawelwargan) March 17, 2023

CNBC: Macron enrages France by forcing through pension bill with no vote. But few think he’ll be forced out 

* Unions and lawmakers slammed French President Emmanuel Macron’s use of special constitutional powers to pass a controversial pension bill. 

 * The government will face a no confidence vote next week. 

 * Analysts said they expected the vote to fail, putting the bill into law. 

 * But anger from opposition parties and the public will remain. 

* Macron may emerge weakened despite passing changes he has pushed for since he was first elected in 2017. 

A coalition of French lawmakers on Friday filed a no confidence motion against President Emmanuel Macron following chaotic scenes in the country’s lower house of parliament the day before. 

Despite frantic last-minute negotiations and number-crunching, Macron calculated he did not have enough votes in the National Assembly to pass his controversial and long-standing plan to raise the retirement age. 

So he resorted to the back-up plan that many — including within his party — opposed; using a special constitutional power to force it through without a parliamentary majority.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The video below explains why protests are happening now in France.

  

Widespread Protests In France After Macron Passes Pension Reforms  

Violent protests in France over Macron’s retirement age push -- AP  

France: Pension protests, no-confidence motions after decree -- DW 

French anger spreads after Macron forces pension age rise -- The Guardian  

Hundreds detained in fiery protests after French government forces through higher retirement age -- CNN

Bitter pension battle turns to democratic crisis as Macron bypasses French parliament -- France 24 

France Burns After Macron Skips Parliament Vote To Ram Through Hated Pension Reform -- Zero Hedge

France Bracing For A Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reform This Tuesday

Bloomberg  

France 24: France braces for strikes that could bring the country ‘to a standstill’ for days on end 

Strikes against bitterly contested plans to reform pensions in France continue on Tuesday, and this time unions have upped the ante. Unlike previous walkouts, this week’s industrial action has no pre-arranged end date. 

With workers across multiple sectors expected to strike, life in France could grind to a halt for days on end. Teachers, gas and electricity workers, train drivers, and industrial workers are all expected to join strikes that begin on Tuesday, sparking national upheaval that could last for days on end. 

March 7 will mark the sixth day of industrial action since January over government plans to reform pension rights in France and increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: My friends in France are telling me that tomorrow's strike is going for the entire week. Maybe longer. 

France Bracing For A Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reform This Tuesday  

France braces for decisive strike action against Macron’s pension reform -- Politico  

France braces for national 'standstill' ahead of planned protests -- Euronews  

France travel warning as FCO advice updated amid strike action -- Manchester Evening News  

France braces for massive strike in pension reform showdown -- RFI  

French Unions Say Pension Protests Will Bring Country to a Halt -- Bloomberg

France Conducting Major Military Exercises

Regions in France where the Orion 2023 exercises are taking place. Exercises are held in France's south east (phase 2) and north eastern and western regions (phase 4) with more theoretical sessions held in Paris and Lyon. © French Ministry of Defence  

RFI: France holds largest-ever military drills amid bloody backdrop of Ukraine war 

France is staging its biggest military exercises to date – an operation involving 12,000 troops including NATO allies. 

The first leg of the Orion 2023 war games started on 23 February and will last until 11 March. The drills come one year after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. 

"The geopolitical context justifies this exercise," says Yves Metayer, commander of the troop deployment division at the French chiefs of staff. 

He adds that the plan has been in the works since 2020 and builds on the French Ministry of Defence's 2017 Strategic Review of Defence and National Security.  

Read more ....  

Update: ‘Orion’ military exercises: A fictitious war, but a real test for French troops (France 24)  

WNU Editor: For more details on this exercise go here .... Exercise ORION 23 In France.

Hundreds Of Thousands Protest Across France Against Pension Reforms

 

France 24: Hundreds of thousands protest across France against pension reform, unions vow to ramp up strikes 

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday in a fourth day of action against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, with unions planning to ramp up strikes if the plan is not dropped. 

Unlike on the three previous protest days there was no call for a day of nationwide strikes, although air traffic controllers at Paris' second airport staged a surprise walkout that resulted in the cancellation of half of flights. 

Macron and his government face a two-way fight to implement the plan to raise to pension age from 62 to 64 by overcoming resistance on the streets and also pushing the legislation through parliament. 

The CGT union said that 500,000 people were protesting in Paris alone, higher than the 400,000 it counted on the last protest day on February 7.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: French President Macron was re-elected last year. There are 5 more years left in his term. His position is secure. These protests are not going to make him change his push for pensions reforms. 

Hundreds Of Thousands Protest Across France Against Pension Reforms  

Nearly 1 million French march in 4th day of pension protests -- AP  

France protests look to test government's resolve on pension reforms -- Reuters  

Almost a million march in France in protest at government pension reform plans -- Euronews  

France: Air traffic controllers join pension reform protest -- DW

French President Macron Wants To Spend €400 Billion To ‘Transform’ France’s Forces Through 2030

 

Defense News: Macron wants €400 billion to ‘transform’ France’s forces through 2030 

STUTTGART, Germany — Seven months after declaring the launch of a new “war economy” in France, President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans to spend hundreds of billions of euros on defense investments that will “transform” the military over the next decade. 

The nation’s next six-year military programming law – known in French as the “loi de programmation militaire,” or LPM – will shape the nation’s defense spending between 2024-2030. 

Drawing on current geopolitical circumstances and technological developments, Macron will request a €400 billion ($433.4 billion) investment for the 2024-2030 LPM, he announced in a Friday speech at the nation’s Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in southwestern France. 

If enacted, that sum would reflect a 35% increase over the current 2019-2025 LPM of €295 billion, and could cover a total of €413 billion military needs, he claimed. 

Read more .... 

French President Macron Wants To Spend €400 Billion To ‘Transform’ France’s Forces Through 2030  

Macron unveils major boost in French military spending amid Ukraine war -- France 24  

Macron boosts French military spending by over a third to 'transform' army -- Reuters  

France's Macron proposes big rise in defence budget -- BBC  

Macron proposes major boost to French defense spending amid Ukraine war -- Politico.eu 

Emmanuel Macron boosts defence budget to keep France 'a war ahead' -- The Telegraph  

Macron: France to hike military spending by a third -- DW 

‘Multiple threats’: Macron raises France’s military budget 40% -- Al Jazeera

France Hit By Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reforms

 

Reuters: French workers strike nationwide, saying 'non' to Macron's pension reform 

PARIS (Reuters) -French workers went on strike and joined marches across the country on Thursday, halting trains and cutting electricity production in protest against government plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 64. 

The stoppages are a major test for President Emmanuel Macron, who said on Thursday that his pension reform plan, which opinion polls show is hugely unpopular, was "just and responsible" and had to be carried out. Protesters disagreed. 

"It's salaries and pensions that must be increased, not the retirement age," read one large banner carried by workers that opened the protest march in Tours, in western France.

"I'll have to prepare my walking frame if the reform goes through," said Isabelle, 53, a social worker, saying her job was too tough to add two more years.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: French President Macron is undeterred .... Macron vows to proceed with pension reform, despite protests (AP). 

France Hit By Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reforms 

Live: More than 1 million protest across France against Macron’s pension reform -- France 24  

France strikes bid to halt Macron's rise in retirement age -- BBC  

Striking French workers lead mass protests against plans to raise retirement age -- CNN

France hit by strikes over plan to raise retirement age to 64 -- The Guardian  

France: National pension protests to test Macron presidency -- DW  

France contends with widespread strikes as unions take to streets against pension reform -- CNBC  

France hit by nationwide strike as unions fight Emmanuel Macron's retirement age reforms -- ABC News Australia  

France Grinds To Halt Over Nationwide Pension Strikes -- Zero Hedge 

‘I can’t take any more’: Working-class French lament Macron’s push to raise retirement age -- France 24  

Will strikes force Macron to back down over French pension reforms? -- France 24