France
French President promotes corporate interests, Mali war in Algeria visit
By Alex Lantier, December 21, 2012
On December 19-20, French President François Hollande made a 36-hour visit to Algeria, to expand military and trade ties between France and its former colony.
Florange steelworkers betrayed by French government, unions
By Pierre Mabut, December 4, 2012
The Socialist Party (PS) government capitulated to steelmaker ArcelorMittal, putting the 629 jobs at the blast furnaces at Florange in eastern France in the balance.
France: Gaullist Union for a Popular Movement on verge of split
By Antoine Lerougetel, December 1, 2012
The Gaullist Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) moved toward a split last week when François Fillon announced the formation of a separate parliamentary group in the National Assembly.
Moody’s downgrades French debt rating, presses for austerity in Europe
By Alex Lantier, November 23, 2012
On November 19, the credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded France’s sovereign debt by one notch from Aaa, the top rating, to Aa1.
France’s conservative UMP faces split after leadership race
By Alex Lantier, November 22, 2012
The UMP faces a possible split after a contested vote Sunday for the party presidency and rising tensions over its ties to neo-fascist forces.
French President Hollande’s prime-time speech promises austerity, war
By Antoine Lerougetel, Alex Lantier, November 22, 2012
On November 13 the French president gave a televised address and interview to some 400 journalists assembled at the Elysée palace.
Former leading member of Tamil nationalist LTTE assassinated in Paris
By K. Nesan, November 22, 2012
On November 8 a leader of the pro-LTTE Tamil Coordinating Committee was assassinated in Paris.
French Socialist Party’s Aubry charged over asbestos poisoning
By Pierre Mabut, November 17, 2012
Former French cabinet minister Martine Aubry was charged with manslaughter November 6 in the public health scandal over the use of asbestos by French industry.
French Greens, Stalinists staggered by President Hollande’s unpopularity
By Kumaran Ira, November 14, 2012
France’s Stalinists and Greens are issuing criticisms of their ally, the ruling Socialist Party, as it collapses in the polls due to its austerity policies.
French NPA offers “anti-imperialist” rationale for imperialist intervention in Syria
By Johannes Stern, November 10, 2012
The NPA’s cynical “anti-imperialist” criticisms of Le Monde’s calls for war with Syria show that it shares the pro-war views of figures that the NPA itself calls imperialists.
French CGT union chooses new leader
By Anthony Torres, November 9, 2012
On November 6 the CGT's national “parliament” accepted the candidacy of Thierry Lepaon to replace Bernard Thibault at the head of the CGT.
France’s Merah affair: New questions emerge on Toulouse killings
By Francis Dubois, November 8, 2012
Statements by intelligence officials in Toulouse raise new questions about the French government’s responsibility in killings committed by Mohamed Merah.
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