Latest news with #FrancoisBayrou
France 24
10 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
France eyes tougher sentences after violence mars PSG celebrations
Police detained hundreds of people during festivities following PSG's victory in the European football showcase in Germany on Saturday and their triumphant return home the following day. PSG thrashed Inter Milan by a record 5-0 in the final to win the biggest prize in European club football for the first time. The victory sparked delirious celebrations in France, which were marred by some violence. Police arrested 563 people on Saturday night, the interior ministry said, after more than 200 cars were torched and police clashed with youths. In the southwestern town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest, and a 23-year-old man riding a scooter in central Paris died after a vehicle hit him. Authorities detained 79 others on Sunday night, including for allegedly firing fireworks at security forces, trying to vandalise shops and blocking traffic. Some of these appeared in court on Monday, with three men in their early twenties receiving suspended sentences of two to eight months, along with a 500-euro ($570) fine, the Paris prosecutor's office said. Others were set to appear before a magistrate on Tuesday. 'Minimum' sentence Darmanin, who has expressed interest in standing in the 2027 presidential election, argued that the first court sentences were not tough enough. "Some of the sentences for violence -- including against law enforcement officers and for destruction of property -- are not proportional to the level of violence our country is experiencing," the former interior minister said on X. "The law needs to radically change," he added. Darmanin called for an end to obligatory adjustments for jail terms of fewer than six months, which for example allow detainees to serve time at home with an electronic bracelet. He called for an end to suspended sentences in such cases and a law to set up a "systematic minimum sentence" for those found guilty. He suggested "a minimum of three months in jail for any assault against a representative of the state or a very steep fine for any destruction". Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said the weekend's scenes of unrest had been "premeditated" and had "exasperated millions of French people", and agreed that "minimum sentences" were a good idea. "The hardening of sentences linked to group and premeditated violence... needs to be starker," he told parliament. 'Physically not possible' But Aurelien Martini, deputy secretary-general of the magistrates union, responded that minimum sentences -- previously tried from 2007 to 2014 -- did not work. If the goal is "to put more people in prison, it's physically not possible", he said, alluding to overcrowding. France's prison population hit a record high on May 1, with more than 83,600 inmates held in facilities that have a capacity of around 62,500, justice ministry data has shown. Socialist leader Olivier Faure added that the judiciary should first and foremost be "fair" and examine each individual case, not respond "to collective emotion". The right-wing head of the Paris region Valerie Pecresse supported Darmanin's idea, saying it was the "only hope for this violence, this ransacking to never happen again". Receiving the triumphant team at the Elysee Palace on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called "unacceptable" violence during the festivities. Many of the stars of PSG, one of the youngest in the competition, are drawn from the huge football talent pool in the Paris suburbs. A total of 11.5 million people tuned in across France to watch the match.
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
French taxi protests test PM's budget-cutting resolve
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 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, US 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.
Reuters
7 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
French taxi protests test PM's budget-cutting resolve
PARIS, May 28 (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 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." ($1 = 0.8825 euros)
Reuters
27-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
French PM Bayrou says he will unveil budget-cutting proposals in early July
PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Tuesday he will unveil proposals in early July to get public finances under control, adding that "everyone will have to make an effort". "In early July, I will propose to the French people a plan to return public finances to equilibrium over 3 or 4 years," Bayrou told BFM TV without providing further details. "We have allowed deficits to pile up, we have allowed a mountain of debt to accumulate. The country is over-indebted," he added. Bayrou also reiterated he was in favour of proposing a referendum on the country's budget but that the decision was in the hands of President Emmanuel Macron. Centrist Bayrou's minority government is trying to come up with 40 billion euros in budget savings to cut its fiscal deficit to 4.6% of economic output next year, but many of the measures floated so far have found little political support. The French government is struggling to get its public finances back under control after spending spiralled higher last year and tax income fell short of expectations as a snap legislative election delivered a deeply divided parliament.
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
French PM to testify on child abuse scandal
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's popularity rating has dropped below the president's, with only 27% approval. (EPA Images pic) PARIS : French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces one of the most delicate moments of his five months in office today as he responds to questions from a parliamentary committee investigating claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school. Bayrou has faced accusations from the opposition that as education minister in the 1990s he knew of widespread physical and sexual abuse at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France over many decades. The 73-year-old politician, who served as France's education minister between 1993 and 1997, has denied any wrongdoing and denounced what he calls a campaign of 'destruction' against him. He said his appearance before the committee would give him an 'opportunity to prove that all this was false'. 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 Betharram 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% of French people approving of his work. Analysts have said Bayrou could face further pressure depending on his performance during the hearing, which is set to begin at 5pm today. 'The Betharram 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. 'We have talked about it a lot and I know that I have confidence in him,' he told TF1 television yesterday evening, referring to the Betharram affair. 'I know that he will answer all the questions he is asked.' Macron also said he was open to a suggestion by Bayrou to hold a referendum on a plan to reduce France's debt. The two co-rapporteurs of the commission, Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout, will question 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. Several of his children attended the school, and his wife taught religious studies there. 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. Few in Bayrou's team believe that he will be brought down over the scandal. But 'if he lies before parliament, he's dead' politically, said a supporter of Macron, asking not to be named. Bayrou has survived multiple no-confidence motions partially due to support from the Socialists. But one Socialist lawmaker, who asked not to be named, believed Bayrou was 'politically finished'. Greens have accused him of 'perjury' and have called for his resignation. 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. In total, 200 legal complaints have been filed since February last year accusing priests and staff at Betharram 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 Betharram,' said Alain Esquerre, who represents a collective of school survivors.
