FRANCE: PM Fillon uses dreaded ‘austerity’ word on Japan trip
French Prime Minister François Fillon has created a stir by bringing up France’s “budgetary austerity” in a speech during an official visit to Japan. The French government has taken great pains to steer clear of the dreaded “A” word. Read More
FRANCE: Government defends pension reform despite strikes
Prime Minister Francois Fillon (pictured) has insisted the French government will press ahead with planned reforms to the pension system that would see the retirement age rise from 60 to 62, a day after nationwide strikes. Read More
ECONOMY: France joins other EU nations announcing austerity plan
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (photo) has announced an austerity plan that will slash state spending by 45 billion euros. The three-year plan aims at bringing public deficit back down to the EU’s limit of three percent of GDP by 2013. Read More
FRANCE: ‘No austerity plan’, Sarkozy tells unions
President Nicolas Sarkozy assured French union leaders on Monday that his government was not implementing Greek-style austerity measures, despite a recent announcement by French PM François Fillon that France would freeze public spending from 2011. Read More
François Fillon présente ses excuses après avoir annoncé à tort la mort d’un policier
Lors d’un discours mercredi soir, le premier ministre avait annoncé qu’un policier blessé le 8 mars à Epernay par des jets de pierre était mort. Read More