French and Riviera News Monday 12th February 2024

National News France

French government announces change - The French government has announced a controversial plan to amend the constitution to revoke birthplace citizenship on the French Indian Ocean Island of Mayotte, claiming it would help stem an immigration crisis. The reform was announced by interior minister Gérald Darmanin on Sunday after he arrived on the island, the country’s poorest department (administrative region), following three weeks of protests there. Speaking to journalist the interior minister said “we are going to take a radical decision. It will no longer be possible to become French if you are not the child of a French parent”. France currently grants citizenship through both bloodline and birthplace, and the proposal risks further ramping up of tensions in France following the adoption of a new immigration law.

Local News

Teenager hit by train - A 16-year-old boy has been seriously injured after being hit by a train in the town of Miramas in the Bouches du Rhone, north of Marseille. The accident occurred on Sunday evening at around 5pm, the circumstances of the accident have yet to be determined. Rail traffic was interrupted in both directions between Miramas and Rognac, but none of the 80 passengers on board the train were injured.

Apartment fire in Nice - 37 firefighters have been mobilised in Nice after a fire broke out on Sunday evening in an apartment on avenue de Pessicart. The incident occurred at around 8.30pm. A 56-year-old man was taken t