France in Chaos 🇫🇷💥: Strikes, Trials & More!

World News

The first days of December are marked by a series of significant events: on December 2nd, French unions called for strike action to pressure MPs regarding the 2026 draft Budget, coinciding with the return of the Projet de Loi de Financement de la Sécurité Sociale bill to the Assembly for debate. Simultaneously, courts will see the trial of Swiss banking heir Paul Hottinguer in Paris, where he faces accusations of tax fraud and money-laundering. Across France, doctors, caregivers, nurses, interns, and particularly those in private practice within the Alpes-Maritimes and Var départements, will stage walkouts to protest the draft social security financing bill. Adding to the activity, a court hearing regarding the government’s potential suspension of fast-fashion website Shein is scheduled for Friday, December 5th. Meanwhile, the government has launched a public survey, available on the Assemblée nationale website until December 4th, to gather opinions on parenthood and related policies, in response to declining fertility rates. Finally, the annual Téléthon fundraising extravaganza will take place this weekend, aiming to raise funds for the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM — the Association française contre les myopathies).

France’s competition authority is investigating Shein, alongside AliExpress and Joom, as well as eBay, Temu, and Wish, for allegedly selling illegal products. Meanwhile, the Top 14 men’s domestic rugby competition is taking another temporary break – the second in a month – but the pause offers no relief to players, as the European Champions and Challenge Cups begin their first block of pre-Christmas matches. Visitors to Lyon are also invited to experience the Fête des Lumières, running from Friday, December 5th, through Monday, December 8th, where enchanting displays of light and sound will transform the city’s landmarks. The projections, featuring large displays over key monuments and scattered throughout the city, will provide an immersive experience. Finally, Grand Tourmalet, the largest ski area in the French Pyrénées, announced its official opening date for December 6th, and in France, Saint Nicolas Day (December 6th) remains a significant celebration, particularly in historically-linked areas, marked by small gifts and special gingerbread as the countdown to Christmas continues.