This Thursday, May 29, will mark the 40th day after Easter and therefore the ascent. The day is a holiday in France, Germany, Finland and six other European countries. The ascent marks for the Catholic faithful the last meeting of Jesus with his disciples after his death on the cross and his elevation in heaven.
The ascent also marks the hope of eternal life. During the concordat signed in 1801 by Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, she became one of the four obligation festivals again (with Christmas, All Saints’ Day and Assumption).
2 – Emmanuel Macron goes to Singapore
Emmanuel Macron will end his trip to Indonesia tomorrow, as part of his trip to Southeast Asia. The President of the Republic will go the same evening to Singapore, accompanied by his wife Brigitte. The Head of State will then participate in a work dinner with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Lawrence Wong.
This Friday, May 30, Emmanuel Macron will be caught with his Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The Head of State will then address the French Community which resides in Singapore, then to business leaders.
3 – Update of the France’s note from S&P
The US agency Standard & Poor’s will update France’s note this Friday, May 30. A year ago, the debt note of France was degraded to AA- due to the chronic inability of the country to reduce its deficits and its public debt. Last November, the Standard & Poor’s agency did not lower this note further, despite the political and economic crises which was faced with the government of Michel Barnier.
As a reminder, rating agencies attribute a note to national debts. If it is good, the country can borrow from low interest rates, and vice versa.
4 – 20th anniversary of rejection by referendum of the European Constitution
On May 29, 2005 took place the last referendum subject to the French. 20 years ago, the population was called upon to decide on the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. The “no” won with 54.68 % of the vote, on a high participation of 69.37 %. The result revealed a fracture between the political elites and the popular categories, defying vis-à-vis a Europe perceived as too liberal.
Two years later, France signed the Lisbon Treaty, which includes most of the provisions of the rejected text. This treaty changes the governance of the European Union, strengthens the role of the European Parliament and introduces new voting rules within the Council.
5 – The good news of the day
Olympic fervor returns this summer, a year after the Paris Games. A program of free and unpublished sports activities and sports activities, called “Paris en Seine”, will be offered in all the boroughs of the capital. The Olympic basin will return to the Tuileries garden from June 21 to September 14.
The arenas of Lutèce (5th arrondissement), Parc Monceau (17th) or even the Jardins d’Eole (18th) offer cultural and sports activities this summer. The banks of the Seine de Paris Plage will offer activities on the theme of Brazil. Three bathing sites will open on July 5: at the Quai de Bercy, the Bras of Grenelle and the Bras Marie, facing the island of Saint-Louis.
