Between tributes to the victims of the Trappes attack, tensions around demonstrations, and new economic measures on November 1st, here are the key points of the day.
【Tributes to the victims of the Trappes attack】
A few days after the attack that occurred in Trappes (Yvelines), a gathering against racism and Islamophobia was held Monday evening at Stalingrad Square in Paris. According to Le Figaro, Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire was jostled by the crowd during this tribute.
According to Le Monde, the left showed up in scattered order at this mobilization: parties from the social-democratic sphere gathered around Raphaël Glucksmann, presidential candidate, at Stalingrad Square in Paris, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon and LFI organized a separate gathering in La Courneuve.
Read on Le Monde · Read on Le Figaro
【Demonstrations: police accused of sparing far-right groups】
According to France Info, several videos filmed on Saturday in major French cities show far-right groups attacking demonstrators, sometimes in full view of apparently passive law enforcement. "We saw them pass through the riot police without any problem," report witnesses cited by the media.
Several political leaders accuse the police of having protected these violent activists in certain places; the Interior Minister denies these accusations, according to the same source.
【Lyon: demonstration banned on Tuesday, end of curfew】
According to Le Parisien, a demonstration scheduled for Tuesday in Lyon has been banned. However, the curfew that was in effect in the city was not renewed.
For residents of the Lyon metropolitan area, it is therefore necessary to check traffic restrictions related to this ban before any trip to downtown.
【Social mobilization: what next in the coming weeks?】
According to France Info, union organizations, high school students, and yellow vests have launched numerous calls to continue the mobilization in the coming days, in the form of demonstrations, sit-ins, and pot-banging protests. In the absence of government reforms, the end of the social movement is not being considered by these organizations at this time.
【A "riot tax" on insurance contracts】
Faced with damage caused by rioters during recent mobilizations, estimated at over one billion euros according to France Info, a "riot tax" proposal is under review. It would take the form of a 0.8% tax applied to all motor and home insurance contracts, in order to finance damage repairs.
【Imported parcels: higher tax from November 1st】
Starting from November 1st, small parcels sent from countries outside the European Union will be subject to a new 2 euro tax, which adds to the 3 euros already applied since July, according to France Info. For diaspora communities who regularly order from abroad, the total cost of these taxes thus reaches 5 euros per parcel. The effects of this measure vary depending on the platforms, particularly those that already have warehouses in Europe.
【Minimum wage: employees demand a larger increase】
According to France Info, the government is considering an anticipated increase in the minimum wage starting next month. But employees paid the minimum wage, faced with rising cost of living, are demanding a larger increase than the one currently planned. For their part, employer representatives are warning about the consequences of this increase for businesses.
【Fuel: price cuts must be displayed】
Starting November 1st, the price of diesel should drop by 12 to 18 cents per liter for three months, according to France Info. To accompany this price cut, gas stations will have to clearly display the discounts granted to drivers, a measure intended to make reductions more transparent for drivers.