News
Unions advise motorists to fill up their tanks - Speaking to French media this Monday morning oil refinery unions have advised motorists to fill up their tanks as strike action against the pension reform intensifies. On Saturday the CGT announced the shutdown of the largest refinery in France, with others following suit.
Currently, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, nearly 25% of distribution locations are totally or partially out of stock. The neighbouring territories of the Gard (16.4%) and the Vaucluse (18.1%) are also affected. Another department affected is the Loire-Atlantique with nearly 10% of service stations “in difficulty”. In the Paris region, only the Hauts-de-Seine department showed a significant rate, with 6.4% of pumps partially or totally out of stock.
Train traffic remains disrupted - Meanwhile, train traffic will remain disrupted this Monday, March 20th, on the 14th day of renewable strike against the pension reform.
The SNCF forecasts overall traffic similar to the previous days, namely, two TER trains out of three, on average nationally, four TGV INOUI and OUIGO out of five, three out of five-day time intercities and no night traffic.
The SNCF traffic has been disrupted since the launch on March 7th of a renewable strike against the pension reform by unions. Traffic should remain disrupted on Tuesday and intensify on Thursday 23rd March, the day chosen for national strike action across France.
Vote in National Assembly today - In the National Assembly today Monday 20th March, the reform will require another vote following the unpopular use of article 49.3 which forced it through last week. For the reform to be rejected along with the French government and Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne, a majority of 287 votes are needed, a scenario which according to French media this Monday morning is highly unlikely.
Party office vandalized - Locally at the weekend the political party office of the president of France’s Republican Party Eric Ciotti, on the port of Nice, was vandalized during the night on Saturday and demonstrators ahead of today’s vote gathered in front of the same premises on Sunday evening in protest against the pension reform and the use of 49.3. Around 300 people were present following the initiative of a group of young citizens to demand the withdrawal of the pension reform and denouncing a "denial of democracy" with the use, by the government, of article 49.3.
Anger in the streets - The government's decision to resort last Thursday to article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows it to get a bill through parliament without a vote, has indeed prompted anger in the streets after weeks of mostly peaceful protests. Police on Saturday closed Place de la Concorde in Paris following two successive nights of clashes. Some 122 people were arrested. Other demonstrations in cities around France had gone off peacefully, with hundreds turning out in the Mediterranean port city Marseille.
MP to present bill against private jets at Nice International Airport - Green MP Julien Bayou has defended a ban on private jets at Nice International Airport. On Sunday March 19th, Bayou came to present his bill on the tarmac of the airport ahead of it being presented to the National Assembly on April 6th. The green MP claims that "a round trip Paris-Nice by jet represents the consumption of a motorist over an entire year" adding that “in Nice private jets account for 43% of landings and take-offs, with 35,000 flights in 2021 with an average of five passengers on board”. Nice is the third airport in the world in terms of private jet traffic. Julien Bayou concluded that the government needs to "bring the rich back down to earth" saying that it was unfair and unrealistic to ask people to make an effort and realise the urgency and importance of the ecological transition if others are able still able to travel by private jet.
Mayor of Monaco - Georges Marsan has been re-elected as the mayor of Monaco at the weekend. The results see the mayor achieve a record-breaking sixth mandate in the Principality. Marsan took the microphone at Espace Léo-Ferré to announce his re-election.
Pet hospital in La Turbie - The town council of La Turbie has reportedly signed an agreement with developers planning a “One Health” pet hospital project concerning three plots of land in the area. The move means that the hospital, an innovative concept could soon see the light of day in the hills above the Principality.
Stair race in Beausoleil – Seventy participants have attended this year’s stair race in Beausoleil at the weekend. The stairs have become one of the emblems of the neighbouring town of Monaco. Since 1998, athletes have been competing to see who will arrive at the top of the 427 steps first. The equivalent of a 27-storey building!
70 athletes, including two disabled runners have competed in this year’s 23rd edition. For the men, it was Quentin Raibaut (from the Vésubie Trail Club) who arrived 1st in 1'27". A performance which almost dethroned the record of ( 1'26"). Among the women, it was Valérie Raibaut (from AS Monaco athletics), the mother of the men's winner, who finished first in 1'58”.
Bal de la Rose - The decor for the next Bal de la Rose in Monaco has been revealed, chosen by Princess Caroline and designed by Christian Louboutin the theme is Bollywood. The upcoming Bal de la Rose, scheduled for March 25th in Monaco, already promises to be unforgettable as the Salle des Etoiles is transformed into the stage set for a Bollywood film. The greatest Indian artists will perform along with singer Mika The evening is held for the benefit of the Princess Grace Foundation.
Famous houses on the market in the region - The « Beau Site » villa in Nice, where the music video for the Cure's single "Catch" was shot
