This Wednesday, the news directly impacts purchasing power with the revaluation of supplementary pensions and a possible extension of the soda tax, while student mobilizations continue to disrupt university life. Internationally, two protest movements are drawing attention, in Albania and Mauritius.
【Supplementary pensions: +1.4% starting November 1st】
Supplementary pensions for 14 million private-sector retirees will be increased by 1.4% starting November 1st, according to France Info. This increase follows a compromise between social partners, after a year of complete freeze in 2025 due to lack of agreement between the scheme's co-managers.
According to Le Monde, this compromise does not have unanimous support and unions remain divided, while the government is also considering new cuts to basic pensions. The question of whether this increase will be enough to preserve retirees' purchasing power remains unanswered.
Read on Le Monde · Read on France Info
【The Audit Office validates the reduction of tax relief for retirees】
The Council on Compulsory Levies, which is under the Audit Office, has delivered a detailed analysis justifying the reduction of tax relief applicable to retirees, a controversial measure being considered in the 2027 budget, reports Le Figaro.
The same report examines other measures being discussed as part of the budget, such as the tax loophole for furnished rentals or the surtax on corporate income tax (CIT).
【Soda tax: lawmakers in favor of extending it】
According to Le Parisien, lawmakers have shown support for extending the "soda tax." This tax measure, if adopted, could lead to price increases on shelves for affected products.
【A new two-story TGV between Paris and Marseille】
SNCF will inaugurate on November 6th its next-generation, two-story TGV on the Paris-Marseille route, according to Le Parisien. This train will be able to accommodate up to 1,400 passengers.
【Blockades at universities: attendance exemptions for protesters】
Facing student mobilizations, several public institutions are issuing attendance exemptions to students participating in protests, reports Le Figaro Étudiant. For international students enrolled in these institutions, this means that classes can be canceled or absences tolerated depending on the university in the coming weeks.
【Who is "Le Poing levé," on the front lines of high school protests】
Le Figaro devotes a story to the Trotskyist collective "Le Poing levé," active on the front lines of current high school protests. This collective seeks to aggregate student voices for the benefit of the "Révolution permanente" movement, whose spokesperson Anasse Kazib is running for president.
For people living near gathering places, these high school and student mobilizations can cause traffic disruptions or gatherings to monitor in the coming days.
【Albania: new clashes between protesters and police in Tirana】
According to Le Monde, Albania experienced Tuesday a second day of protests against the government, with new clashes between protesters and police in Tirana. Hundreds of people had gathered in front of the Education Ministry to demand the resignation of the government head and greater aid to students.
【Mauritius: curfew imposed after several days of violence】
A curfew has been imposed in Mauritius after several days of protests and violence, reports Le Monde. These disturbances were triggered after a police officer shot and seriously wounded a woman Friday in Camp-Levieux, south of Port-Louis.
According to police, 84 people were arrested Tuesday. The incidents recorded include looting, fires, acts of violence, and curfew violations. People with family or travel plans to Mauritius are urged to monitor the situation.