What’s happening in France this week
The first round of the presidential primary for France’s left-wing parties gets under way, protests and strikes aplenty, and the curtain goes up on a major cinema festival.
Monday
Journalism – The 33rd edition of the prestigious Prix Bayeux Calvados-Normandie for war correspondents gets under way.
Integration – The sixth annual Week of Integration for Newly Arrived Foreigners in France, organised by the Directorate General for Foreigners in France, gets under way with events planned across the country.
Sport – France’s senior men’s football team play Belgium at Stade de France in the fourth round of the Uefa Nations League. The match kicks off at 8.45pm and is broadcast live in France on TF1.
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More lycée protests? – Students at French high schools staged protests on Thursday and Friday that flared into violence in some areas. There are no confirmed plans for the protests to continue, but demos may take place in some areas. Meanwhile some high schools were closed due to damage sustained during the protests.
Tuesday
Protest – The CGT Federal Union of State Employees has called on public sector workers to show their support for the ongoing student protests demanding better study conditions, more teachers, smaller class sizes, the repeal of Parcoursup, and better government help for students heading to university.
Thursday
Fuel – A strike has been announced at TotalEnergies, called by the CGT, on all of the group’s sites, with possible effects on refineries, depots and some service stations in the network. Workers are protesting “deteriorating working conditions and job security, staff shortages, and the loss of purchasing power”. Disruptions to fuel supplies are possible.
Childcare – Parents of young children take note: staff of establishments and services providing collective and individual early childhood care are set to walk out on strike demanding improved pay and conditions.
Friday
Politics – The two-day first-round voting in the primary for a centre-left candidate in next year’s Presidential elections opens. The candidates for nomination are: Philippe Brun, Olivier Faure, Raphaël Glucksmann, Jérôme Guedj, Emmanuel Maurel, and Ségolène Royal. A second round, if required, will be held on October 16th and 17th.
Saturday
Festival – The curtain rises on Lumière Festival, celebrating classic cinema, in Lyon. The festival looks back at cinema’s rich history through restored classics, retrospectives, special guests, tributes and film concerts. Almost 450 screenings will take place, many introduced by actors, filmmakers, critics or members of the festival team. Click here for more details.
