French press review 19 January 2016

Another gloomy day in the French press. Le Figaro is concerned that the EU might implode, while La Croix laments over the fact that the rich just keep getting richer. Libération wonders why so many people are dying in January.

DR

Right-wing Le Figaro headlines with the European Union. Despite being conservative, the paper is also pro-EU. On its front page it expresses concern over the numerous challenges facing the bloc in 2016.

"The new year begins with a note of profound unease [...]. The EU is holding its breath, but this time its own future [thats in focus]" reads the daily.

"There's the migrant crisis, of course, but also Poland, Brexit, the rise of populism in Europe and the lack of leadership of the Franco-German relationship.

"Masterpiece in distress" reads a gloomy editorial, which thinks that without a solid plan, the EU will disintegrate.

Catholic La Croix headlines on a study by rights-group Oxfam. According to the study "the richest one percent of the world's population now owns more than the rest of us combined".

You want another striking figure? Here you go: 62 people own as much wealth as the poorest half of the world's population. And this, according to La Croix is due in part to the fact that 7600 billion of dollars are hidden in off-shore accounts.

The issue here, economist Henri Sterdyniak is cited as saying, is that States have stopped trying to distribute wealth.

"We're seeing wealth moving from the states to a few big companies. This is also the case with [political] power".

It's time to rethink the economy says the paper. Its clear from this that capitalism is not working. Or at least only working for a few people.

For its part, Le Monde remembers French writer Michel Tournier who died this Monday at the age of 91.

Tournier is considered one of France's most influential authors of the second half of the 20th century. He won in 1970 the prestigious Prix Goncourt prize for "The Erl-King", a haunting novel about a man who recruits children into the Nazi regime explains Le Monde.

But Tournier also proved controversial: in 1989 he compared abortion to death penaly and the holocaust. But says, Le Monde, he remains one of the "great authors" of the last century.

Even French President Francois Hollande in a statement paid homage to Tournier, describing him as a "great writer" of "immense talent".

Libération is headlining with the latest tennis scandal but we'll talk about another article. Today's Libé wonders why more people are dying in January...

Yes, this is a serious article.

"Bowie, Delpech, Boulez, Galabru..." many celebraties have died in the past few weeks says the paper.

And if you feel like it's more than usual, it's not just an impression: January 2015 saw 18% more death than usual.

There's no official reaon to suggest why this is the case, but Libe offers a few pointers.

It writes: January is the coldest month of the year, which mean more people catch the flu and die. Another explanation has to do with heart attacks - after stressfull holidays and a missed doctor's appointment, people would be more likely to die of one.

Happy New Year, et surtout la santé.