NormanH

One possibility, but I think Melonchon and LePen will keep voting no confidence to frustrate Macron in order that he becomes so exasperated that he resigns. She needs a Presidential election before the end of March as she risks 5 years ineligibility once the verdict on her current court case comes in

As there can't be an election before June 2025, we are stuck with the same 3 groups none of whom can command a majority, so whoever become PM will be confronted with the same difficulty in getting any laws passed

Well it has happened. Interesting times ahead.

Helped by Liz Truss and Brexit. The only 'power' Barnier ever had over Britain was his that given by his superior bargaining and intellectual skills over the clodhoppers tasked with negotiating a cure to a self-inflicted injury.

Helped by Liz Truss and Brexit

The main figures are jostling with the idea of the presidential elections in 2027 in mind, rather than thinking of the country over the next couple of years: https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/politique/article/motion-de-censure-contre-michel-barnier-les-trois-inconnues-en-cas-de-vote-de-l-assemblee-nationale_243040.html

" more appropriate values" I am not sure that the values of those schools are more appropriate than those of https://www.education.gouv.fr/les-valeurs-de-la-republique-l-ecole-1109

"Did France eventually decide in favour or was it lost at the last election? " Many of the things that were passed in principle but not finally ratified before June are in limbo...That is why it is being discussed again. The growing number of pupils going to private schools (usually Catholic) is a major factor in the lurch to the right and a hardening of social attitudes, as these schools teach their dogma, and of course mainly to the middle classes For example https://www.telerama.fr/debats-reportages/derives-a-l-ecole-stanislas-la-ministre-de-l-education-contrainte-d-agir-7018903.php

https://www.telerama.fr/debats-reportages/derives-a-l-ecole-stanislas-la-ministre-de-l-education-contrainte-d-agir-7018903.php

"Did France eventually decide in favour or was it lost at the last election? " Many of the things that were passed in principle but not finally ratified before June are in limbo...That is why it is being discussed again. The growing number of pupils going to private schools (usually Catholic) is a major factor in the lurch to the right and a hardening of social attitudes, as these schools teach their dogma, and of course mainly to the middle classes For example https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/280622/l-univers-sexiste-homophobe-et-autoritaire-de-stanislas-le-meilleur-lycee-de-france

We had such strong winds yesterday that I had to eat inside, despite it being mild. The restaurateur had too bring in all the plants even the chairs were blowing away! Less wind to day but still very "Dreich"

I might have put a fiver on it...

Geneviève Darrieusecq a fait cette annonce ce lundi en ouverture des débats sur le projet de budget de la Sécurité sociale pour 2025. Les consultations médicales sont également concernées. Le taux de remboursement des médicaments par la Sécurité sociale baissera de 5% l’an prochain, tout comme la prise en charge des consultations médicales, a annoncé la ministre de la Santé Geneviève Darrieussecq ce lundi au Sénat. Le «ticket modérateur», le plus souvent à la charge des complémentaires santé, «n’évoluera que de 5%» pour les consultations médicales alors «qu’il était potentiellement envisageable de l’augmenter de 10%», mais «en complément (celui) sur les médicaments augmentera de 5%», a expliqué la ministre en ouverture des débats sur le projet de budget de la Sécurité sociale pour 2025. Ces déremboursements, qui ne figurent pas dans le texte mais seront actés par arrêté ministériel, entraineront un «transfert vers les complémentaires santé» dont le montant «a été ramené de 1,1 milliard à 900 millions d’euros» a-t-elle précisé. Le projet initial du gouvernement consistait à diminuer de 70% à 60% la prise en charge des consultations médicales, qui seront donc à l’avenir remboursées à 65%. Pour les médicaments, les trois taux de remboursement existants (65%, 30% et 15%) seraient a priori abaissés dans la même proportion. En outre, pour atteindre un objectif d’économies «à hauteur de 5 milliards d’euros» sur les dépenses de santé, «nous envisageons aussi des baisses de prix des produits de santé pour 1,2 milliard d’euros», ainsi que «des mesures d’efficience à l’hôpital» pour 600 millions et également sur les soins de ville pour 600 millions, a ajouté Mme Darrieussecq. Par ailleurs, la ministre de la Santé a confirmé un «dérapage» des dépenses de médicaments cette année, «évalué à 1,2 milliard d’euros», que le gouvernement entend limiter après un «dialogue avec les industriels afin de trouver des mécanismes de compensation». La mise à contribution financière des laboratoires pharmaceutiques, via la «clause de sauvegarde» du secteur, ne serait «activée qu’en cas d’échec de la démarche», a-t-elle assuré. Son collègue des Comptes publics, Laurent Saint-Martin, a ensuite précisé que les «différents leviers» à l’étude doivent permettre de «ramener à 200 millions d’euros le dépassement par rapport à la trajectoire présentée» dans le budget de la Sécu pour 2025.

I know what you mean, but I have my browser set so it doesn't save them, or deletes them on closing :

Whilst examining the budget proposals the Senate has passed a proposition to ban unsolicited marketing calls, changing the principle that anyone has the right to call to one where a caller has to have your permission. https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/une-proposition-de-loi-senatoriale-veut-interdire-le-demarchage-telephonique-sans-consentement-prealable-du-consommateur

OK ALBF sees France as "drug-ridden", and I wouldn't deny what I can see with my own eyes in large towns such as mine. But what about Spaln? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/12/spanish-police-arrest-ex-fraud-chief-after-20m-found-in-walls-of-his-house

Think yourself lucky you aren't invaded by them AND the English who call themselves 'Ex-PATS' of which there were none here 20 years ago, but now they are swarming over us. I suppose Spain must be full.

And this was thz weather for Remembrance day in Béziers https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=964265039067476&set=pcb.964268975733749

https://www.beziers-mediterranee.com/culture/patrimoine/le-cimetiere-des-tresors-caches/

That is what the video said. Are you sure you watched it?

We are being invaded by Americans here after our journalist Maire placed an article in Sloan magazine saying how wonderful Béziers is! They have solved the problems in the article by forming a ghetto group (and a Facebook page) where they organise a French-free social life. I made a couple of comments about American-style food and coffee chains and was banned for "Anti American HATE speech"... and you all know how moderate I am😂

Time for me to go then

I seem to remember that the hospital nurses and doctors working during Covid didn't have particularly easier conditions of work than bankers, nor do those who sweep the streets and collect the rubbish. And teachers in the private (Catholic) sector have smaller classes with children often from 'better' families than their counterparts in the public service which is underfunded in part because of the disgraceful amount of public money going to support those Catholic schools. In health care it is the private firms (funded by hedge funds) that treat public funds as a cash cow. Look at the scandalous profits taken for Covid tests by 3 or 4 Lab groups.