Latest news with #FrancoisBayrou
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
French unions, employers set to hold last-ditch pensions talks next week
PARIS (Reuters) -French unions and employers negotiating changes to a 2023 pension reform are set to hold last-ditch talks next week, even as at least one major participant was not sure if it would join. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou had agreed earlier this year to reopen the subject of pensions for talks between unions and employers as he aimed to win support from Socialists to survive no-confidence votes introduced by other opposition parties eager to topple him. But months of talks ended on Tuesday without an agreement, and another "last chance" meeting has been set for June 23. Patrick Martin, president of Medef, which represents employers, said in an interview with France 2 that the group may not participate, saying: "We were not the ones who asked for the reform to be reexamined." Labour minister, Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, told Franceinfo some progress had been made though a larger agreement remained elusive. "We must continue because the way forward is possible," she said. Unions want to roll back an unpopular 2023 reform that gradually raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, but employers are concerned doing so would require more payroll contributions. Bayrou, a long-time debt hawk, has said all options were on the table as long as any modifications ensure a pensions funding gap is plugged by the end of the decade. France's pensions system was close to balanced last year but is expected to show a deficit of 0.2% of GDP by the end of the decade and 1.4% by 2070 even with the 2023 reform, according to the national pension advisory's annual report. French pension spending is among the highest in the world at 14% of GDP last year, with two-thirds paid for by current workers and employers' payroll contributions. The rest is financed by hefty taxes and costly state transfers, with virtually no role for private pension funds common elsewhere in developed countries. According to an Elabe poll for BFM TV, 70% of French people believe the current system is not financially sound, yet 63% oppose raising the retirement age, which some economists say is the most effective way of propping up the system's finances. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
French unions, employers set to hold last-ditch pensions talks next week
PARIS, June 18 (Reuters) - French unions and employers negotiating changes to a 2023 pension reform are set to hold last-ditch talks next week, even as at least one major participant was not sure if it would join. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou had agreed earlier this year to reopen the subject of pensions for talks between unions and employers as he aimed to win support from Socialists to survive no-confidence votes introduced by other opposition parties eager to topple him. But months of talks ended on Tuesday without an agreement, and another "last chance" meeting has been set for June 23. Patrick Martin, president of Medef, which represents employers, said in an interview with France 2 that the group may not participate, saying: "We were not the ones who asked for the reform to be reexamined." Labour minister, Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, told Franceinfo some progress had been made though a larger agreement remained elusive. "We must continue because the way forward is possible," she said. Unions want to roll back an unpopular 2023 reform that gradually raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, but employers are concerned doing so would require more payroll contributions. Bayrou, a long-time debt hawk, has said all options were on the table as long as any modifications ensure a pensions funding gap is plugged by the end of the decade. France's pensions system was close to balanced last year but is expected to show a deficit of 0.2% of GDP by the end of the decade and 1.4% by 2070 even with the 2023 reform, according to the national pension advisory's annual report. French pension spending is among the highest in the world at 14% of GDP last year, with two-thirds paid for by current workers and employers' payroll contributions. The rest is financed by hefty taxes and costly state transfers, with virtually no role for private pension funds common elsewhere in developed countries. According to an Elabe poll for BFM TV, 70% of French people believe the current system is not financially sound, yet 63% oppose raising the retirement age, which some economists say is the most effective way of propping up the system's finances.
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
France shuts Israeli weapons booths at Paris Air Show
Geopolitical tensions roiled the opening of the Paris Air Show on Monday as French authorities sealed off Israeli weapons industry booths amid the conflicts in Iran and Gaza, a move that Israel condemned as "outrageous." The decision added drama to the major aerospace industry event, which was already under the shadow of last week's deadly crash of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Black walls were installed around the stands of five Israeli defence firms at the trade fair in Le Bourget, an airfield on the outskirts of Paris. The booths displayed "offensive weapons" that could be used in Gaza — in violation of agreements with Israeli authorities, a French government source told AFP. A security personnel works to hide a graffiti reading "Behind these walls are the best defence systems used by many systems are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination is trying to hide them from you!," on a panel of the Israeli Pavillon during the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at the Paris豊e Bourget Airport. AFP The companies — Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, Uvision, Elbit and Aeronautics — make drones and guided bombs and missiles. An Israeli exhibitor wrote a message in yellow chalk on one of the walls, saying the hidden defence systems "are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination is trying to hide them from you!" French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou defended the decision during a Monday press conference at the air show. "The French government's position was very simple: no offensive weapons at the arms exposition," he said. "Defensive weapons were perfectly acceptable," he added. Conflicts loom large Bayrou cited the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the rationale behind the ban. "Given the situation in Gaza... which is extremely serious from a humanitarian and security point of view, France was keen to make it clear that offensive weapons should not be present at this exposition," Bayrou said. Riot police officers patrol by the blocked Rafael stand and Israeli pavilions at the Paris Air Show. AP Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "outrageous" closure of the pavilions and said the situation should be "immediately corrected." "Israeli companies have signed contracts with the organisers... it's like creating an Israeli ghetto," he said on French television channel LCI. The Israeli defence ministry said in a statement that the "outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations." "The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries," it said. Workers put a white canvas over a black wall that blocks the Israeli pavilions and that has been erected at the Paris Air Show. AP "This is particularly striking given Israeli technologies' impressive and precise performance in Iran." Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, killing top commanders and scientists, prompting Tehran to hit back with a barrage of missiles. Agence France-Presse
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
France seals off Zionist weapons stalls at air show
LE BOURGET, France: Geopolitical tensions roiled the opening of the Paris Air Show on Monday as French authorities sealed off Zionist weapons industry booths amid the conflicts in Iran and Gaza, a move that the Zionist entity condemned as 'outrageous'. The decision added drama to the major aerospace industry event, which was already under the shadow of last week's deadly crash of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Black walls were installed around the stands of five Zionist defense firms at the trade fair in Le Bourget, an airfield on the outskirts of Paris. The booths displayed 'offensive weapons' that could be used in Gaza — in violation of agreements with Zionist authorities, a French government source told AFP. The companies — IAI, Rafael, Uvision, Elbit and Aeronautics — make drones and guided bombs and missiles. Smaller Zionist stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and a Zionist ministry of defense stand, remained open. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou defended the decision during a Monday press conference at the air show. 'The French government's position was very simple: No offensive weapons at the arms exposition,' he said. 'Defensive weapons were perfectly acceptable,' he added. Bayrou cited the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the rationale behind the ban. 'Given the situation in Gaza... which is extremely serious from a humanitarian and security point of view, France was keen to make it clear that offensive weapons should not be present at this exposition,' Bayrou said. Zionist President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the 'outrageous' closure of the pavilions and said the situation should be 'immediately corrected'. '(Zionist) companies have signed contracts with the organizers... it's like creating a (Zionist) ghetto,' he said on French television channel LCI. The Zionist defense ministry said in a statement that the 'outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations'. 'The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude (Zionist) offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries,' it said. 'This is particularly striking given (Zionist) technologies' impressive and precise performance in Iran,' it claimed. The Zionist entity launched surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, killing top commanders and scientists, prompting Tehran to hit back with a barrage of missiles. Amir Baram, a general in the Zionist defense ministry, called the French decision 'anti-Semitic', adding the Zionist entity would challenge the move in French courts. IAI's president and CEO, Boaz Levy, said the black partitions were reminiscent of 'the dark days of when Jews were segmented from European society'. Two US Republican politicians attending the air show also criticized the French move. Talking to reporters outside the blacked-out Zionist stalls, US Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders described the decision as 'pretty absurd', while Republican Senator Katie Britt criticized it as 'short-sighted'. Meshar Sasson, senior vice president at Elbit Systems, accused France of trying to stymie competition, pointing to a series of contracts that Elbit has won in Europe. 'If you cannot beat them in technology, just hide them right? That's what it is because there's no other explanation,' he said. Rafael described the French move as 'unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated'. The presence of Zionist firms at Le Bourget, though smaller than in the past, was already a source of tension before the start of the Paris Air Show, because of the conflict in Gaza. A French court last week rejected a bid by NGOs to ban Zionist companies from Le Bourget over concerns about 'international crimes'. Local lawmakers from the Seine-Saint-Denis department hosting the event were absent during Bayrou's visit to the opening of the air show in protest over the Zionist presence. 'Never has the world been so disrupted and destabilized,' Bayrou said earlier at a roundtable event, urging nations to tackle challenges 'together, not against each other'. The row over the Zionist entity cast a shadow over a trade fair that is usually dominated by displays of the aerospace industry's latest flying wonders, and big orders for plane makers Airbus and Boeing. Airbus announced an order of 30 single-aisle A320neo jets and 10 A350F freighters by Saudi aircraft leasing firm AviLease. The European manufacturer also said Riyadh Air was buying 25 long-range, wide-body A350-1000 jets. But Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg last week cancelled plans to attend the biennial event, to focus on the investigation of the Air India crash. 'Our focus is on supporting our customers, rather than announcing orders at this air show,' a Boeing spokeswoman told AFP on Monday. The London-bound Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and crew and another 38 on the ground. One passenger survived. – Agencies
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
France shuts Israeli weapons booths at Paris Air Show
LE BOURGET, France (AFP) — Geopolitical tensions roiled the opening of the Paris Air Show on Monday as French authorities sealed off Israeli weapons industry booths amid the conflicts in Iran and Gaza, a move that Israel condemned as "outrageous." The decision added drama to the major aerospace industry event, which was already under the shadow of last week's deadly crash of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Black walls were installed around the stands of five Israeli defense firms at the trade fair in Le Bourget, an airfield on the outskirts of Paris. The booths displayed "offensive weapons" that could be used in Gaza — in violation of agreements with Israeli authorities, a French government source told Agence France-Presse. The French government has not given its exact definition of "offensive" or attack weapons. The companies — Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, Uvision, Elbit and Aeronautics — make drones and guided bombs and missiles. An Israeli exhibitor wrote a message in yellow chalk on one of the walls, saying the hidden defense systems "are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination, is trying to hide them from you!" French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou defended the decision during a press conference at the air show. "The French government's position was very simple: no offensive weapons at the arms exposition," he said. "Defensive weapons were perfectly acceptable." Bayrou cited the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the rationale behind the ban. "Given the situation in Gaza ... which is extremely serious from a humanitarian and security point of view, France was keen to make it clear that offensive weapons should not be present at this exposition," Bayrou said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "outrageous" closure of the pavilions and said the situation should be "immediately corrected." "Israeli companies have signed contracts with the organizers ... it's like creating an Israeli ghetto," he said on French television channel LCI. The Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement that the "outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations." "The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries," it said. "This is particularly striking given Israeli technologies' impressive and precise performance in Iran." Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, killing top commanders and scientists, prompting Tehran to hit back with a barrage of missiles. The presence of Israeli firms at Le Bourget, though smaller than in the past, was already a source of tension before the start of the Paris Air Show, because of the conflict in Gaza. A French court last week rejected a bid by NGOs to ban Israeli companies from Le Bourget over concerns about "international crimes." Local lawmakers from the Seine-Saint-Denis department hosting the event were absent during Bayrou's visit to the opening of the air show in protest over the Israeli presence. Amir Baram, a general in the Israeli Defense Ministry, called the French decision "antisemitic," adding that Israel would challenge the move in French courts. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen also criticized the decision, calling it "unacceptable discrimination, particularly in the current geopolitical context," in a post on X, adding that it "damages once again our country's international image." The show's organizers said that dialogue was underway "to find a positive resolution." The row over Israel cast a shadow over a trade fair that is usually dominated by displays of the aerospace industry's latest flying wonders, and big orders for plane makers Airbus and Boeing. Airbus announced an order of 30 single-aisle A320neo jets and 10 A350F freighters by Saudi aircraft leasing firm AviLease. The European manufacturer also said that Riyadh Air was buying 25 long-range, wide-body A350-1000 jets. But Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg last week canceled plans to attend the biennial event to focus on the investigation of the Air India crash. The London-bound Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and crew and another 38 people on the ground. One passenger survived.
