France's Chaos: A Week of Drama 🔥📈

The week ahead in France offers a diverse and dynamic schedule, encompassing a wide range of events from high-stakes legal proceedings to significant cultural and sporting returns. Beginning on Monday, Parliamentarians will resume debates concerning the contentious 2026 Budget, aiming to present the bill to the Senate before midnight on November 23rd – a deadline set by constitutional requirements. Simultaneously, several legal cases are ongoing, including an appeal by a former lawyer for fashion designer John Galliano regarding his embezzlement conviction. Furthermore, eight individuals, including former LafargeHolcim executives, face trial on charges of paying protection money to the Islamic State group in Syria, and a court in Nanterre will rule on whether Nestlé’s Perrier brand can be temporarily banned due to misleading labeling. Beyond the legal realm, cultural highlights include the arrival of the highly anticipated film “Wicked: For Good,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, in French cinemas. Tradition also plays a key role with the third Thursday of November, celebrated by wine enthusiasts as the release of the new Beaujolais Nouveau, a festive event that spans from Beaujeu to Lyon via Villefranche-Sur-Saône. Politically, President Emmanuel Macron will be traveling to Mauritius on November 21st, followed by a trip to the G20 summit in Johannesburg on November 22nd. Locally, the city of Nancy is already kicking off its annual St Nicholas’ festival, marking an early start to the Christmas season. Finally, sports fans will welcome the return of domestic top-flight football and rugby union leagues after an international break, while France’s high-elevation ski resort Val Thorens is scheduled to open for the season this weekend, pending favorable snow conditions.