News
French lawmakers to vote today - French lawmakers will today vote on no-confidence motions which are all but certain to oust the current fragile coalition of France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Should this happen Barnier's government will be the first to be forced out by a no-confidence vote in France, in more than 60 years, at a time when the country is struggling to tame a massive budget deficit. Speaking on national television on Tuesday and ahead of today’s vote Barnier pleaded his case before the public, saying that he remained open to budget talks with opposition parties despite being widely predicted to lose the vote. He also sought to distance himself from France's ongoing state of political instability, saying he was not at fault. Opposition parties have tabled the motion to oust the former Brexit negotiator after he used special powers to force through his budget without a vote.
Historically for France it was on October 5th, 1962, that the last no confidence vote took place overthrowing the then government of Georges Pompidou under the presidency of General de Gaulle. However, a few hours later, Charles de Gaulle reappointed Georges Pompidou to Matignon. He would remain there until July 1968.
Strike action to affect schools, hospital and some flights – Meanwhile, France’s civil servants are preparing for a day of national strike action tomorrow, Thursday 5th December, which is expected to affect schools, hospitals and some flights. The main public sector unions have called for action to denounce the 2025 budget project and defend public services. After the railway workers and farmers, it is now the turn of civil servants as millions of civil servants have been called to strike by most trade unions. Demonstrations are planned across France to oppose the savings measures in the 2025 budget project and to demand more human and financial resources for the civil service. To coincide with the day of strike action energy inter-unions in France have also announced plans to mobilize which could affect "companies in the electricity and gas sector". Their demand is to renegotiate wages.
It is not known how the action will impact services or how many will walk out of schools and hospitals. However, concerning flights the General Directorate of Civil Aviation has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 10% at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport between 6am and noon, 25% at Paris-Orly and 50% at Marseille from 6pm, and 20% at Toulouse airport for the day. Despite preventive measures, in place disruptions and delays are nevertheless to be expected. Management has invited passengers who can, to postpone their trip and contact their airline.
Recent report on poverty in France shows is it gaining ground - A recent report on poverty in France has shown that there are 1.4 million more poor people in in France than 20 years ago. The report by the Observatory of Inequalities shows that poverty "is not exploding" but "gaining ground". For a single person, the poverty threshold is 1,000 euros per month. For a couple without children, this represents 1,500 euros. And for a family with two children over 14, 2,500 euros”. 5.1 million people live below this threshold in France, or 8.1% of the population, compared to 6.6% in 2002 (+1.5 points), according to INSEE data.
The report notes that France "is doing better than the European average", based on Eurostat data for 2021 which showed the Czech Republic had "the lowest rate" in the European Union with 5.4% of the population below the poverty line. France and Germany (with its poverty rate of 8.5%) have done better than their neighbours, Italy (13%) and Spain (13.7%).
Workman dies after fatal fall in Nice - A workman has suffered a fatal fall from a scaffolding in Nice. The accident occurred on Tuesday lunchtime when the victim a 60-year-old man, fell during renovation work from the fifth floor of a building on the Rue de Lépante. The renovation had been underway for several months and was nearing completion when the tragic accident occurred. The neighbourhood has been left in shock.
State of natural disaster - Four communes in the Alpes-Maritimes have had a state of natural disaster accepted following flooding and landslides. Pégomas, Castagniers, certain districts of Nice and Saint-Jeannet are concerned. Disaster victims have 30 days from the publication of the decree to file an estimated statement of the losses with their insurance companies, in order to benefit from the compensation. For those concerned you are advised to contact your local town council.
Mayor of Nice cancels ceremony - The mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has announced the cancelation of the traditional New Year ceremony for 2025. Since 2008, Estrosi has held the annual event at this time of year to present his wishes to the people of Nice. The mayor however wrote on social network X that this year he would not be holding the traditional ceremony which he feels would be “pointless” for the people of Nice due to the current political and financial situation.
Dustcarts use AI - A dustcart equipped with AI-powered cameras now identifies sorting errors in real time, assisting waste collection efficiency in Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes. The system geolocates mistakes, enabling targeted education efforts while protecting workers from hazardous materials. Additionally, Grasse is transitioning its fleet to greener vehicles, including biofuel and fully electric options, to reduce environmental impact.
More Frequent Trains - TER trains on the Nice-Vintimille line will run every 15 minutes from 6 AM to 10 PM, thanks to increased competition and a reliability agreement with SNCF starting on the 15th of December. The project includes a €60 million maintenance hub in Nice and additional leased trains to meet demand until new high-capacity carriages arrive by 2027. Efforts to improve reliability have already reduced cancellations, with SNCF aiming for a 0.25% cancellation rate and 98.5% punctuality by 2025.
Postman Throws 300 Letters in the Bin - A postal worker has thrown over 300 letters into bins over three days to reduce his workload, but was caught after a resident discovered the discarded mail near Nice. The worker confessed and was suspended just before his contract ended. He is now facing legal action from La Poste for breach of duty. The affected letters have been recovered and redistributed and La Poste has apologized to customers.
Business
An internal investigation ordered by global leader in wine and spirits Pernod Ricard, has concluded that top executives at its India business violated the law by colluding with alcohol retailers in New Delhi, even as the French giant's representatives denied wrongdoing in court and publicly. India's financial crimes agency has accused Pernod Ricard India (PRI) in January of last year of engaging in money laundering by unlawfully facilitating $24 million in corporate guarantees to help some retailers fund their license bids in exchange for stocking more Pernod brands. India is a key market for Pernod. Last year it had a 16% share in the country's spirits market as measured by sales volume, according to Euromonitor.
The boss of Ford in the UK has called on the government to provide consumer incentives of up to £5,000 per car to boost demand for electric vehicles and help the industry hit challenging climate targets. Lisa Brankin, chair of Ford UK & Ireland, said that direct support for consumers to purchase zero-emission vehicles is crucial if the industry is to remain viable and hit challenging net zero milestones.
And - Labour MP Sarah Champion has said that supermarkets in the UK appear to be selling products linked to slave labour in China and may be “complicit in putting profits above human rights”. Her comments come following an investigation by UK media. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Champion described the UK’s product labelling as “weak and confusing".
Sport
Football – Wales have made history by reaching a major women's tournament - Euro 2025 - for the first time as they stunned the Republic of Ireland in Dublin beating them 2-1.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League Ipswich Town lost at home 1-0 to Crystal Palace and Leicester beat West ham 3-1 on Tuesday evening. In this evening’s action, Everton are at home to Wolves Manchester City play Nottingham Forest, Newcastle play Liverpool, Southampton face Chelsea, Arsenal are at home to Manchester United and Aston Villa face Brentford.
Cycling - Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has been taken to hospital after a crash during a training ride. According to Belgian media reports, the 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a ride in Belgium. Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men’s road race and time trial at this year’s Olypics in Paris was conscious after the incident.
Meanwhile, an amateur syclist from Oxfordshire says she is preparing to take on the female version of the Tour de France. Angela Mills-Bannon, will ride the 724 mile (1,165km) Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to raise money for people with cancer. She told reporters she was inspired to fundraise in 2022 after her friend's son was diagnosed with a rare type of leukaemia. The event has been organised by cancer charity Cure Leukaemia, and is called The Route. Ms Mills-Bannon will take on nine stages between July and August 2025, riding the day before the professionals at each stage.
Formula One – The FIA says it wants to change its rules to limit the ways its leadership can be held to account for bad governance. A set of revisions have been circulated which are to be approved at a vote of the FIA general assembly on 13th December.
Cricket – Bangladesh have secured their first Test win in the West Indies for 15 years to draw the two-match series 1-1. It was Bangladesh's first Test win in the West Indies since a 2-0 series clean sweep in 2009. It also means that they have won three Tests away from home in a calendar year for the first time.
Weather
Cloudy start, clearing with sunny spells by this afternoon. Highs of 16 degrees in Nice, Saint Raphael and Cannes with light winds, 14 degrees in Monaco, 13 degrees in Marseille. This evening going down to 6 degrees with clear skies.
The outlook for tomorrow and Friday, mainly fine with light to moderate winds by Friday and highs of 15 degrees, reaching 17 degrees in Nice on Saturday, ahead of wave of cold air forecast with temperatures dropping from Sunday December 8th.
Sunrise 07.47am
Sunset 04.53pm
Weather elsewhere
London 9° light cloud.
Rome 15° sunny intervals.
Oslo -3 sunny.
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