News Digest: Flight Cancellations, Freezing Temperatures & France’s Prime Minister Resigns

In the wake of the French government’s failure to pass its long-promised immigration bill last month (the bill was eventually passed after many changes were made to appease the centre-right), it was announced yesterday (Monday 8th January) that Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne had resigned, indicating a probable cabinet reshuffle.

Borne, who was France’s second female Prime Minister, held the top position for 20 months, pushing through two of Macron’s most controversial reforms – on pensions and immigration – and also surviving several motions of no confidence in the French government. Macron publically thanked Borne for her service to the nation, praising her “courage, commitment and determination”:

Madame la Première ministre, chère @Elisabeth_Borne, votre travail au service de notre Nation a été chaque jour exemplaire. Vous avez mis en œuvre notre projet avec le courage, l’engagement et la détermination des femmes d’État. De tout cœur, merci. pic.twitter.com/G26ifKfKzj

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 8, 2024

The resignation is perhaps unsurprising as Macron seeks to re-establish confidence in his government after the failure of the immigration bill. Borne’s successor was announced this morning as 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal. Attal will make history not only as the youngest person to take the job, but also as France’s first openly gay prime minister.

If you’re flying out of Paris over the next few weeks, keep a lookout for cancellations and delays. France’s air traffic control is carrying out essential computer upgrades and as a result, thousands of flights are set to be affected across all four airports – Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Le Bourget, and Paris-Beauvais.

Some 20% of flights taking off from these airports are due to be cancelled to account for the reduced capacity of air traffic control during the upgrades. While it’s not yet certain which flights will be affected, it’s unlikely to affect long-haul flights, and will most likely affect regional domestic flights. Air France has assured passengers that their booking will be transferred to the closest available flight, and other airlines are expected to follow similar procedures.

Your airline will be able to confirm if your flight is affected.

If buying a French property or moving to France made it onto your 2024 New Year’s Resolutions list, then there’s no time like January to take the first step! The French Property Exhibition, hosted by France Media Group and FrenchEntrée, is coming to the Novotel London West on 27th and 28th January 2024 and you can sign up for your free tickets now.

It’s set to be another exciting weekend, jam-packed with exhibitors, expert-led seminars, and thousands of French properties for sale. I’ll also be hosting a seminar on behalf of FrenchEntrée and I can’t wait to meet you all in person, so do make sure you come over to the FrenchEntrée stand and say hello!

You can read more about the exhibition here or sign up for tickets here.

Finally, France’s winter sales kick off this week, starting tomorrow, Wednesday January 10^th and running through until Tuesday, February 6^th. Sales or Les Soldes are only allowed twice a year in France (after Christmas and in summer), so now’s your chance to snap up a bargain on clothing, electronics, household goods, and more.