What’s happening in France this week

A confidence vote, a national protest, strikes, and an important day in court for Marine Le Pen are the headline events in a big week in France

Monday

Court: It will likely get lost in the noise of the later confidence vote in the Assembly, but a hearing on Monday morning will set trial dates for far-right Rassemblement National presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen’s appeal against her conviction – and on-hold political ban – for embezzling millions of euro of public funds in a fake job scam.

Confidence vote: The French government, headed by current Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a self-imposed confidence vote in the National Assembly amid an ongoing row over how the country should reduce its budget deficit. If he loses, he is required to resign and the government will fall. It will then be up to president Emmanuel Macron to decide what to do next.

Trial: Former anaesthetist Frederic Pechier goes on trial accused of 30 poisonings, 12 of which were fatal.

Strike: At the start of what promises to be a busy week in a busy month of protests, public transport in the south-eastern city of Lyon is likely to be disrupted as staff walk out in a one-day dispute over pay. Major disruptions are expected across the entire TCL network, affecting all buses, trams, metros and commercial agencies. Further updates are available on the TCL website.

Wednesday

Protests: The mysterious online Bloquons Tout collective has called for everyone in France to ‘block’ the country by refusing to go to school, work or do any shopping on September 10th in protest at prime minister François Bayrou’s cost-cutting budget.

Sud-Rail union representing train drivers (cheminots) has announced that they intend to join the September 10th action. Sud Aerien, which represents airport staff, has also called for strikes and blockades at airports on September 10th.

The main union representing pupils at lycée (high school) has also called for a ‘blockade’ of lycées on September 10th.

The CGT civil service union called for strike action on both September 10th and 18th, the head of the union, Sylviane Brousse, told the French press. As a result, government buildings, such as local town halls and préfectures, could be closed.

The French security services have warned of possible ‘acts of sabotage’ during the protest day.

EU Politics: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to deliver her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg.

Thursday

Music: Fans of electronic music and culture, assemble! The 13th annual Paris Electronic Week tunes up in Pantin. For more information, head over to the website.

Friday

Economy: credit agency Fitch updates its rating for France on the same day as monthly inflation rates for August are published.

What’s happening in France this week

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