Sarkozy, Government Reshuffle, Middle East, Lady Gaga & Galliano

   336  
Sarkozy, Government Reshuffle, Middle East, Lady Gaga & Galliano
The French news hasn’t been dull in the past week. France’s President Sarkozy spoke Sunday night for less than ten minutes where he announced he was going to reshuffle members of his government. This is the second time in the past three months when he’s made significant changes. Politics Even though she wasn’t mentioned during the speech, Foreign Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie resigned because of her involvement with Tunisian Zine El Abidine Ben Ali just before he was overthrown as the second President of that country. Alain Juppé was named Foreign Minister. It’s felt he will be able to restore France’s reputation among the North African countries where the people are protesting against their leaders. Gerard Longuet, the leader of Sarkozy’s center right party in the French Senate, will replace Juppé as Minister of Defense. Sarkozy’s chief of staff, Claude Guéant, will become France’s Minister of the Interior. He’s been assigned the job of restoring the government’s reputation as one that’s tough on crime, an issue that will be critical in the 2012 presidential elections. Poll A new poll conducted by TNS Sofres shows that 81 percent of the French think France’s importance on the international stage is declining. After a widely criticized reaction to uprisings in the Arab world, the survey is the latest bit of bad news for French diplomacy. The people who took the poll stated they felt the French government was lax in how it reacted to Egypt and other Middle East countries. Libya The French government sent  “massive” aid to opposition territory in Libya and has not ruled out supporting NATO enforcing a no-fly zone over the country, according to Prime Minister François Fillon. 
Two French planes transported medical personnel, equipment and medicine. Taxes François Baroin, the finance minister, has announced that there will be changes coming to the Impôt de solidarité sur la fortune or ISF. This tax, usually called le bouclier fiscal or tax cap, is now fixed at 50% for people with assets worth €800,000 in any tax year. Baroin’s “hypotheses” propose either eliminating the tax altogether or reducing the rate below its current 50%. Just announced: “Cette décision reviendrait à relever le seuil d’assujettissement à l’ISF, ou à un futur impôt sur les revenus du patrimoine, de 790.000 à 1,3 million d’euros.” This means the floor for the tax will rise beginning May 1, 2011 from €790,000 to €1,300,000, thereby relieving about 300,000 households from the tax. Burqa Ban Last fall French MPs voted to ban Islamic full veil in public. The law goes into effect on April 11. The ban has strong public support but critics point out that only a tiny minority of French Muslims wear the full veil. President Sarkozy has supported the ban as part of the ongoing debate about French identity. Lady Gaga On the more superficial side, Lady Gaga wowed the crowds when she took to the runway in Paris strutting her stuff and wearing several outfits from fashion designer Thierry Mugler’s autumn/winter 2011 collection of women’s clothing, including a flowing white ensemble. The pop superstar debuted a new song of her “Born This Way” album called “Government Hooker” during the event. It was a real paparazzi event. Lady Gaga said, “We double-timed the beat. It’s a super fast, really hard record and the lyrics are really filthy. It’s also empowering, but more in the direction of sexual female empowerment.” John Galliano French prosecutors announced on Wednesday that John Galliano, who has dressed Hollywood stars including Nicole Kidman to Sharon Stone, will face trial for allegedly making anti-Semitic and racist remarks against patrons at a Paris bar last week. If convicted, Galliano could spend up to six months in prison. Dior As a result, the House of Dior fired him. The British designer, who is reportedly in a rehab facility (rumored to be The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona, where Elton John and Donatella Versace were treated recently), apologized for his actions and maintains he is not anti-Semitic. According to an analyst, the luxury industry markets itself on credibility, quality and heritage. For brands, reputation is key. More news to follow…. (c) Paris New Media, LLC Please spread the word about Bonjour Paris and send an invitation to your friends to receive the newsletter.  In advance, thank you.   To stay on top of the news:
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ALREADY SUBSCRIBED?

More in Bonjour Paris, France, French politics

Previous Article Delicious Discoveries at the Bonpoint Tea Room, Restaurant and Terrace
Next Article Encyclopedie du Chocolat