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An end to daily post in France?

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/01/2023

As use of the national postal service falls, La Poste has embarked on an experimental new system that will reduce the rounds posties make in select areas. Is your town among them?  

A total of 68 locations in France are likely to be part of La Poste’s trial scheme, which is set to begin in March, with six places affected in the greater Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region and two in Alpes-Maritimes: Nice’s Saint-Barthélémy neighbourhood and Roquefort-les-Pins.  

FranceInfo has reported that La Poste is working on the abolition of daily rounds in an effort to reorganise mail distribution overall. This restructuring idea came about in response to a marked drop in the number of envelopes sent by mail. Digital technologies have replaced traditional letter sending greatly, with just seven billion pieces going through the system last year, compared to 18 billion in 2008. The La Poste group anticipates that by 2025, that number will be further reduced to five billion.  

This does not mean postmen and women will not be working regularly, it just means they will have a different way of handling deliveries so as to be “in compliance with the principles of equality, continuity and adaptability by seeking the best economic and social efficiency”. 

Some postal workers have already been trained in the new ways. An example of how it would work is that there would be a Locker A and a Locker B made available to the postman or woman. The first would be delivered one day, the second later in the week.  

The plans have been met with some scepticism, but France is the only country in Europe who still has a six-day mail service. Belgian mail carriers only deliver twice a week and, in the Netherlands and Norway, distribution is five days per week.  

Important mail – medications, press subscriptions, parcels and registered letters, for example – and meal deliveries will still be delivered daily. 

 

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Photo source: Christian Chomiak for Unsplash

France to raise retirement age to 64

by: Elsa Carpenter
11/01/2023

Once-in-a-generation reforms to the pensions system have been announced and France has reacted as many could have predicted, with fierce opposition from unions and parties across the political spectrum. 

Changes to France’s convoluted and “byzantine” pensions system have been a long time coming. Reform has been discussed by presidents since at least 1993 and today’s head of state Emmanuel Macron made it clear he was keen to update its laws during his first-term election in 2017.  

Previous attempts to renovate the system by Macron in 2019 and 2020 were thwarted by mass strikes and the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the 45-year-old president confirmed change was firmly on the horizon in his New Year’s speech at the turn of 2023.  

Admitting that the French would need to “work longer”, Macron called for “unity” ahead of the reforms, which were finally revealed by France’s prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, on Tuesday 10th January.   

“We must face reality and find solutions to preserve our social model,” said Borne. “I’m well aware that changing our pensions system raises questions and fears among the French… We offer today a project to balance our pension system, a project that is fair.” 

What will change?

Borne’s reforms include raising the retirement age required to receive a full pension from 62 to 64. This is still among the most modest retirement ages in Europe and the developed world. In Germany and Spain and Italy, people will be in work until 67 by 2030, while in the UK, plans are in place to increase the age to 68. Despite this, four in five French citizens oppose the idea of increasing the retirement age, according to an Odoxa survery.  Public sector workers deemed to have physically or mentally arduous jobs, such as police officers and prison guards, retain their right to retire earlier than other occupations, but will see their retirement age increase in line with the rest of the population.

The total number of years people must work to qualify for a full pension has also upped. From 2027, French citizens born in or after 1973 will need to work for a combined 43 years to benefit. 

The reforms will also herald the end of “special regimes” with diverging retirement ages and benefits for traditionally protected industries, such as the rail network and energy workers. 

The package does, however, provide for an increase of €100 per month for the minimum state pension, bringing it to €1,200.  

What is wrong with the current system?

For decades, various French governments have grappled with the idea of changing the country’s pension system, which currently consists of 42 different state-supported schemes. It is a sensitive topic and the population has become accustomed to what is one of the most generous pensions systems in Europe and possibly the world despite its obvious complications.  

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the French pensions system cost 14% of GDP in 2021, which is more than most other “industrialised” nations.  

In September 2022, a report by the state Pensions Advisory Council (Conseil d’Orientation des Retraites) found that the pensions system produced surpluses in 2021 of €900 million and €3,2 billion in 2022. It did, however, forecast a deficit on average over the next 25 years.  

“Between 2023 and 2027, the pension system’s finances will deteriorate significantly”, reads the report, which went on to predict a gradual return to breaking event by the mid-2030s after a significant dip over the next five years. It pointed out that a deficit of €10 billion to €12 billion per year, as forecast, is not necessarily excessive for a pensions system whose total annual expenditure amounts to around €340 billion.  

“The results of this report do not support the claim that pensions spending is out of control,” the council summarised. 

This has led to experts, unions and some of France’s political parties arguing that the government can find other ways of ensuring the safety and viability of the pensions system, without having to resort to raising the retirement age.  

What is next? 

Now Macron and Borne must get their plans through parliament, where they do not have a majority. There is evidence that they will get support from the right-wing Les Républicains, while those on the hard-left and far-right have already voiced their position: fierce opposition. 

Many of France’s unions have called for mass national strikes on Thursday 19th January.  

 

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Photo source: Facebook

FA Cup highlights: Liverpool forced into replay, Chelsea crash out

by: Luke Entwistle
11/01/2023

The FA Cup third round was light on upsets, but high on drama as Chelsea’s dire season continued and Liverpool were pegged back by Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

In the first round of FA Cup matches that included the Premier League sides, most of the big guns ensured their progression. However, for some, the cup dream met a premature end. Here are the selected FA Cup results:

Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea – After a defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men in the league just days before, Chelsea were looking to bounce back, but instead succumbed to a heavy defeat at the Etihad. Graham Potter’s side are out of the cup, and also languish in mid-table in the Premier League, putting the former Brighton manager under some early pressure.

Oxford United 0-3 Arsenal – It may have taken Mikel Arteta’s men a while to hit their stride, but once they did, they comfortably dispatched a tough Oxford side.

Aston Villa 1-2 Stevenage – There were very few shocks over the weekend, but this was certainly one of them. 1-0 up against League Two side Stevenage, Aston Villa looked to have sealed the victory, but two quickfire goals saw the away side progress, leaving Unai Emery shell-shocked.

Liverpool 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Liverpool couldn’t overcome Wolves at Anfield and are arguably lucky to come away with a draw, which ensures that the tie will be replayed at Molineux. Wolves had the ball in the back of the net late on, but the goal was disallowed for an offside call, which VAR deemed inconclusive. The player in question had looked onside with the naked eye, but the late winner was ultimately chalked off.

Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Newcastle United – The high-flying League One side edged the Premier League giants at Hillsborough. The Magpies, however, are in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup, and competing at the summit of the Premier League. Ultimately, Eddie Howe and his team have more pressing priorities.

Manchester United 3-1 Everton – The Red Devils’ renaissance under Erik Ten Hag continued with a comfortable victory over Everton, which was marked by two goals from England international Conor Coady, who scored at both ends. His own goal gave Manchester United the upper hand before on-form Marcus Rashford killed the tie late on.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Portsmouth – Antonio Conte’s side did the minimum as they edged past League One side Portsmouth. Harry Kane got the only goal in a match that will do little to dampen the current grumblings around the club, which pertain to recent results and general dissatisfaction with the negative playing style.

Coventry City 3-4 Wrexham – Far from the most glamourous tie of the round, this did throw up one of the exciting matches. Non-League Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney since 2020, pulled off a big shock by beating Championship side Coventry in a seven-goal thriller. The minnows will be looking to face a big side in the next round.

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Photo by D J Gunn

Roca Team prevail in latest thriller against Olympiacos

by: Luke Entwistle
11/01/2023

AS Monaco Basketball and Olympiacos have forged an intense rivalry in recent times, and the latest meeting between the pair attested to that, with the Roca Team prevailing (64-60) in an intense atmosphere.

The match, played in front of a large crowd and a strong away following at the Salle Gaston Médecin on Tuesday, got off to the worst possible start for Sasa Obradovic’s side.

His side were all at sea in the opening quarter. Simple passes were missed, chances within the key were at a premium, and the defence lacked aggression. Olympiacos’ tails were up, and all the noise was coming from the away end, who could start to dream of a great exploit on a court that for them represents mixed fortunes.

8-20 down after the first 10 minutes, Monaco had to get the crowd, who had been dampened by the first-quarter onslaught, into the game. And they did. Mike James again displayed his ability to turn a game on its head, making three successful T3s in under a minute to reverse Monaco’s negative trend.

By half-time, the Roca Team were back within striking distance (31-34), and unlike Monaco performances of the past, the side came out of the dressing rooms with the bit their teeth.

Photo by Monaco Life

Yoan Makoundou, who Obradovic credited with turning the fate of the tie post-match, and captain Yakuba Ouattara helped Monaco reverse the deficit (37-34), leaving Olympiacos on the back foot. Suddenly, the Greek side struggled to match Monaco’s intensity, and errors started to creep into their play, which Monaco duly punished.

The turnaround was epitomised by a sequence of play in which Tarik Black missed a simple dunk under the board and seconds later, Alpha Diallo launched a successful T3 and earned a foul (52-45). However, the game was far from over and nerves began to jangle. Jaron Blossomgame’s profligacy gave Olympiacos the chance to close the gap, only for a Makoundou T3 to kill the Greek side’s momentum.

A late James dunk allowed Monaco to see out the final seconds in serenity, ensuring a result that sees them remain joint-top of the Euroleague. Olympiacos, the table-toppers going into the night, drop to fourth.

These two sides played an epic five-game Euroleague quarter-final last year, and in the words of Obradovic, their latest meeting had the intensity of another play-off clash.

“This was typical of a play-off game with energy and physicality. I think out of all the victories, I am most happy with this one. We had the biggest heart on the court and that is why we won the game,” said Obradovic.

He also went on to praise the spirit within the roster.

“Everyone contributed tonight. Sometimes you have complaints from the bench about minutes and positions, and maybe today for the first time, I didn’t feel it. If you have negative people on the bench, it’s always hard. You could feel how the team gelled,” he said.

The Roca Team will have to carry that positive energy into their next match, with the cauldron of Red Star Belgrade awaiting them on Thursday.

 

Photo by AS Monaco Basket

Culture in conversation: Series of talks commemorate Prince Pierre Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/01/2023

Over the next six months, a series of in-depth talks and debates at the Théâtre des Variétés will commemorate the centenary of cultural discussions initiated by Prince Pierre (1895-1964), a great patron of literature and the arts.  

Begun by Prince Pierre in the 1920s and formalised by the creation of a foundation in his name – the Fondation Prince Pierre – by his son, Prince Rainier III, in 1966, this year marks 100 years of organised cultural talks and debates in the Principality.  

Prince Pierre was a huge supporter of the arts and literature, and had an enthusing passion that his fellow countrymen and women would have the chance to hear from the best minds of their time. To celebrate this century of arts and learning, his foundation is offering a Monday evening series of events at the Théâtre des Variétés between January and June. 

It all kicks off on 16th January when Dany Laferriere, author of 36 books, speaks on racism in America, bringing together the threads of the past, from the legacy of slavery to its impacts on today, and how much has been overcome as well as how much still needs to be done.  

On 30th January, film producer Bruno Podalydes talks to film critic Jacques Kermabon about film speed and its effect on the outcome and tone of any give movie. Podalydes expands on why he was often surprised at the discrepancy between the tempo he thought he was setting up and the perception his first spectators had of a film. This talk is sure to be fascinating for anyone who loves the art of cinema. 

On 6th February, Hélène Carrère d’Encausse explores the Russian aristocrat, Alexandra Kollontaï, who rejected her privileged life to join the Revolution, becoming a minister in Lenin’s first government in 1917 and later the first female ambassador in history. Her manoeuvring of the dangerous waters of Soviet politics was extraordinary in itself, but all the more so because of her gender. This evening is a chance to learn more about this remarkable early feminist.  

Next up on 13th February is Philippe Rahm’s talk on what he calls climatic architecture. The climatic and health challenges of the 21st century is making way for a new generation of architects and urban planners who base their discipline on its intrinsic atmospheric qualities. They look at how “air, light, heat or humidity are recognised as real building materials, where convection, thermal conduction, evaporation, emissivity or effusivity become design tools, and where, thanks to the principle of dialectical materialism, they will be able to revolutionise aesthetic and social values”.  

George Vigarello then hits the stage on 6th March to discuss mind-body connections, and how to live in the body and make it present without overthinking. This is the art of learning how to “be”, taught by a person who has spent decades learning how.  

The struggle against injustice in literature will then by examined by Jean-Marie Rouart on 17th April. He looks at the works of Voltaire, Balzac, Victor Hugo, Zola and Mauriac, writers who committed themselves to defend the innocent, seeking through their words to create a fairer world.  

On 24th April, award-winning composer Julian Anderson holds a talk on his oratorio Exiles, created just last year, shedding light on how all his works are intrinsically linked as well as exploring the nuances of his most recent pieces.  

Finally on 5th June, Barbara Cassin discusses how to expose a philosophical idea to the public in a different way than the traditional forms of speaking and writing. Her idea is to hold exhibitions to show people rather than explain, letting emotion mingle with the concrete to get a clearer picture of the whole.  

All discussions begin at 6.30pm. Tickets are free, but reservations are recommended. They can be made via www.fondationprincepierre.mc.  

 

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Photo source: Jaime Lopes for Unsplash

French hunting reform fails to hit home with worried public

by: Elsa Carpenter
10/01/2023

The French government has tightened restrictions on hunting, but the reforms stop short of introducing a ban on Sunday hunts, despite nearly 80% of the population backing the idea.  

From banning hunting while under the influence of alcohol to proposing practical training and safety courses for registered hunters every 10 years, as well as the introduction of an app identifying locations where a hunt may be underway, 14 new measures aimed at making the practice safer were announced by the government on Monday. 

The reforms also laid the ground for specialist training for hunt organisers – an estimated 200,000 people across France – so as to improve relations and communications between hunters and the public in addition to bettering safety controls.  

Should a hunter be involved in a serious incident, sanctions now include the loss of a licence for a fixed period depending on its severity. Over the course of the 2021-22 hunting season, there were 90 such accidents, with eight resulting in a fatality. The season prior recorded 80 incidents. One hunter has already died in 2023; an 84-year-old man accidentally shot himself in Corsica while packing away his gear, according to France 24.  

In the run-up to the reforms, one of the most contentious topics was the proposal to ban Sunday hunts. 

A poll from IFOP in December found that almost 80% of the French population supports the concept, but according to AFP sources, the government has decided against introducing such a measure as “nothing in the statistics points to Sunday being a more accident-prone day than any other”. 

While the idea hasn’t been totally ruled out in the future, Willy Schraen, the president of Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs (FNC), has claimed there would be uproar in rural communities should a Sunday ban come into force.  

FNC statistics indicate there are 1.1 million active hunters in France, but five million possess a hunting licence.  

 

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Photo source: Danny Kroon for Unsplash