Latest news with #Bayrou
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
French taxi protests test PM's budget-cutting resolve
A french taxi driver gathers for a strike protesting over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, in Paris, France May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor Taxis are seen as french driver gathers for a strike protesting over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, in Paris, France May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor PARIS - French taxi drivers are protesting regularly over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, highlighting the challenge Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces as he seeks to slash next year's budget. Bayrou is hoping to push through a 40 billion euro ($45 billion) budget squeeze in 2026, positioning the collective belt-tightening as an act of civic duty to correct the country's gaping deficit. After pensions, health spending is the single biggest drain on the budget. As part of efforts to rein it in, the government hopes to make 150 million euros in savings on the 6 billion euros it shells out annually to private taxi and ambulance firms ferrying patients back and forth. Cabbies from across France, many of whom rely on the state fares for a sizeable chunk of their income, have descended on Paris since mid-May for angry protests that have led to dozens of arrests. Some out-of-town drivers have slept in their cars while others have tried to block access to Paris' airports and have threatened to do the same to the French Open tennis tournament taking place on the outskirts of the capital. Sandra Vialatte, who heads a taxi firm in the Loiret region south of Paris, said the government was not listening to the industry's proposals to lower costs. "We understand that savings need to be made, we have solutions to save money, we try to propose them but they close the door to discussions," she said during a protest last week. France has a long history of flouting EU overspending rules and currently is running the biggest public sector deficit in the euro zone at an estimated 5.4% of economic output this year. The government's planned 40 billion euros in budget savings is necessary if France is to have any hope of meeting its deficit target next year of 4.6%, which it says is a vital first step towards reaching an EU ceiling of 3% by 2029. France's budget woes are undermining its efforts to ramp up defence spending to counter potential Russian aggression, and are also drawing unwelcome scrutiny from ratings agencies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats threaten the country's economic growth. The independent public audit office warned on Monday that the social welfare and health systems' finances were "out of control" in part due to the soaring costs of services like medical transport. Bayrou, a long-term debt hawk, has promised to deliver a blueprint in early July to share the pain broadly as he tries to hammer home the idea that France will never get a grip on its public spending without a collective effort - and sacrifices. "All French people will have to make an effort," Bayrou said on BFM TV on Tuesday, adding that he wouldn't "target any category of French people at the expense of another." The hard left and far right alike say Bayrou is doing just that, however, by singling out the taxi drivers. Centrist lawmaker Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade said the government had to hold the line, though, if it is to have any chance of meeting the 40 billion euro savings target. "Things got a little bit out of control with the taxis in recent years, and now the tap needs to be turned off," he told Reuters. "The government needs to stand its ground." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
French taxi protests test PM's budget-cutting resolve
A taxi driver waits in his car for passengers in Paris, France, October 19, 2016. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) -French taxi drivers are protesting regularly over proposed government cuts to cash for ferrying patients to and from medical appointments, highlighting the challenge Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces as he seeks to slash next year's budget. Bayrou is hoping to push through a 40 billion euro ($45 billion) budget squeeze in 2026, positioning the collective belt-tightening as an act of civic duty to correct the country's gaping deficit. After pensions, health spending is the single biggest drain on the budget. As part of efforts to rein it in, the government hopes to make 150 million euros in savings on the 6 billion euros it shells out annuallyto private taxi and ambulance firms ferrying patients back and forth. Cabbies from across France, many of whom rely on the state fares for a sizeable chunk of their income, have descended on Paris since mid-May for angry protests that have led to dozens of arrests. Some out-of-town drivers have slept in their cars while others have tried to block access to Paris' airports and have threatened to do the same to the French Open tennis tournament taking place on the outskirts of the capital. Sandra Vialatte, who heads a taxi firm in the Loiret region south of Paris, said the government was not listening to the industry's proposals to lower costs. "We understand that savings need to be made, we have solutions to save money, we try to propose them but they close the door to discussions," she said during a protest last week. France has a long history of flouting EU overspending rules and currently is running the biggest public sector deficit in the euro zone at an estimated 5.4% of economic output this year. The government's planned 40 billion euros in budget savings is necessary if France is to have any hope of meeting its deficit target next year of 4.6%, which it says is a vital first step towards reaching an EU ceiling of 3% by 2029. France's budget woes are undermining its efforts to ramp up defence spending to counter potential Russian aggression, and are also drawing unwelcome scrutiny from ratings agencies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats threaten the country's economic growth. The independent public audit office warned on Monday that the social welfare and health systems' finances were "out of control" in part due to the soaring costs of services like medical transport. Bayrou, a long-term debt hawk, has promised to deliver a blueprint in early July to share the pain broadly as he tries to hammer home the idea that France will never get a grip on its public spending without a collective effort - and sacrifices. "All French people will have to make an effort," Bayrou said on BFM TV on Tuesday, adding that he wouldn't "target any category of French people at the expense of another." The hard left and far right alike say Bayrou is doing just that, however, by singling out the taxi drivers. Centrist lawmaker Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade said the government had to hold the line, though, if it is to have any chance of meeting the 40 billion euro savings target. "Things got a little bit out of control with the taxis in recent years, and now the tap needs to be turned off," he told Reuters. "The government needs to stand its ground." ($1 = 0.8825 euros) (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; additional reporting by Gonzalo Fuentes, Lucien Libert and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
France 24
27-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
French PM Bayrou denies prior knowledge of Catholic school abuse claims
French Prime Minister François Bayrou struck a defiant tone in parliament on Wednesday as he insisted during a tense hearing that he only knew of claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school from media reports. The 73-year-old politician faced one of the most delicate moments of his five months in office as he responded to questions from a committee investigating claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school. Bayrou has faced opposition claims that as education minister between 1993 and 1997 he knew of widespread physical and sexual abuse at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school in southwestern France over many decades. But on Wednesday he stuck by his previous statements and said that during his time as education minister he had "not received any information other than what was reported in the press". "I had nothing to hide," he said. He signalled his desire to co-operate, saying the inquiry into what he called the "MeToo for children" was finally taking place. "For me, this hearing is very important. It is very important for the boys and girls who have been victims of violence, particularly sexual violence, for decades," he added. But tensions were on full display as the two co-rapporteurs of the commission, Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout, questioned Bayrou about what he knew about alleged violence, sexual assault and rape committed at the school near the southwestern town of Pau where Bayrou has been mayor since 2014. During the hearing Bayrou accused Vannier, a lawmaker with the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI), of seeking to "fuel a scandal". The French prime minister also said he did not feel that the commission was "completely objective". Several of Bayrou's children attended the school, and his wife taught religious studies there. French PM Bayrou testifies on child abuse scandal 05:35 Bayrou has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and denounced what he calls a campaign of "destruction" against him. 'I have confidence in him' Centrist Bayrou, the sixth prime minister of President Emmanuel Macron 's mandate, was named head of government last December. He has been given the daunting task of hauling France out of months of political crisis. Until now Bayrou has managed to survive a no-confidence vote in a divided parliament but the Bétharram affair has damaged his credibility and his approval rating has been declining in recent weeks. Bayrou's popularity rating has dropped below that of Macron, according to a poll published last week, with only 27 percent of French people approving of his work. Analysts have said Bayrou could face further pressure depending on his performance during the hearing. "The Bétharram school scandal may not be sufficient in itself to bring down Bayrou but could embolden his parliamentary enemies, and supposed friends, to pull the plug on the government for other reasons," said the Eurasia Group. "Reasons for dissatisfaction abound," the political risk consultancy added, pointing to France's budgetary crisis. Macron threw his support behind the embattled prime minister. French PM Bayrou's daughter reveals abuse at Catholic camp 00:54 "We have talked about it a lot and I know that I have confidence in him," he told TF1 television Tuesday evening, referring to the Bétharram affair. Bayrou's statements have been contradicted by a number of people including his own daughter. In April, Bayrou's eldest daughter accused the clergy running the school of systemic abuse, saying a priest beat her during summer camp when she was 14. Helene Perlant, who is now 53 and uses her mother's name, said however that her father did not know about the incident. 'If he lies, he's dead' Few in Bayrou's team believe that he will be brought down over the scandal. But "if he lies before parliament, he's dead", said a supporter of Macron, asking not to be named. A Bayrou associate stressed that the prime minister was not the subject of the inquiry. The inquiry focuses on "the methods used by the state to monitor and prevent violence in schools". After hearing witnesses, victims and former ministers, the two rapporteurs plan to deliver their conclusions in June. Around 200 legal complaints have been filed since February last year accusing priests and staff at Bétharram of physical or sexual abuse from 1957 to 2004. Some of the boarders said the experience had scarred them for life, recounting how some priests visited boys at night. "The state has failed and has not protected the children of Bétharram," said Alain Esquerre, who represents a collective of school survivors.
MTV Lebanon
25-05-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
French PM to reconsider reform in standoff with taxi drivers
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Saturday he would re-examine a proposed reform after taxi drivers threatened to step up protest actions, including paralysing access to Paris airports and the Roland Garros tennis tournament. French taxi drivers have over the last week blocked roads at points across the country in an increasingly acrimonious standoff with the government about payments for transporting patients, which for many cab drivers form a major part of their businesses. "We'll be working on the details of the decisions, measures and directions that need to be taken over the coming weeks," Bayrou told journalists after meeting with taxi federations. "They have ideas for making savings," he added. Earlier Saturday, cab drivers had threatened further blockades, notably of Paris airports and of Sunday's first round of Roland Garros. In the afternoon, some 1,200 cabs were parked on a boulevard near the transport ministry's offices in Paris. Their chief demand is the scrapping of new rules coming into force in October on the transportation of patients to harmonise prices nationwide, which the taxi drivers say will severely erode their income. "We are calling for the immediate withdrawal of this agreement and for a return to the negotiating table," Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation (FNDT), told France Info radio Saturday morning. Grievances against ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt have also resurfaced, with taxi drivers seeing them as a poorly regulated threat to their livelihood.
Local France
25-05-2025
- Business
- Local France
French PM to re-examine reform in standoff with taxi drivers
French taxi drivers have over the last week blocked roads at points across the country in an increasingly acrimonious standoff with the government about payments for transporting patients, which for many cab drivers form a major part of their businesses. "We'll be working on the details of the decisions, measures and directions that need to be taken over the coming weeks," Bayrou told journalists after meeting with taxi federations. "They have ideas for making savings," he added. Earlier Saturday, cab drivers had threatened further blockades, notably of Paris airports and of Sunday's first round of Roland Garros. In the afternoon, some 1,200 cabs were parked on a boulevard near the transport ministry's offices in Paris. Their chief demand is the scrapping of new rules coming into force in October on the transportation of patients to harmonise prices nationwide, which the taxi drivers say will severely erode their income. Advertisement "We are calling for the immediate withdrawal of this agreement and for a return to the negotiating table," Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation (FNDT), told France Info radio Saturday morning. Grievances against ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt have also resurfaced, with taxi drivers seeing them as a poorly regulated threat to their livelihood.
