Disruptions Caused by Union Demonstration to End: News Digest

A nationwide union demonstration has caused scattered disruptions across schools, transport and public offices, the government has moved to end free healthcare access for non-EU pensioners, Paris has cancelled its traditional New Year’s Eve concert on the Champs-Élysées due to safety concerns, and ministers have unveiled a long-term plan to boost reading among young people. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

Disruptions Caused by Union Demonstration to End 

CGT, FSU and Solidaires took part in an organised protest against the proposed 2026 French budget, which was debated in the Assemblée Nationale this week. The strike led to limited public transport disruption, mainly affecting a few local services. Numerous education unions joined the movement, resulting in widespread class cancellations. Certain administrative offices represented by the CGT Federation, including town halls and tax centres, also closed for the day. Affected services are expected to return to normal tomorrow.

Government Votes to Cut Free Healthcare for Non-EU Pensioners

The French government has voted to end free healthcare for foreign pensioners, after winning a vote in parliament last month. The law plans to close the loophole that allows non-EU pensioners, including American and British expats, to use the free healthcare system after 90 days of residence. This law is likely to be passed by the government early next year. 

New Year’s Concert on Champs-Élysées Cancelled

The traditional New Year’s Eve concert at the Champs-Élysées has been cancelled this year, due to serious safety issues linked to massive crowds. The celebration typically draws up to a million people to the monument. The midnight fireworks show will still go ahead, and France 2 will air a pre-recorded concert filmed in late November at Place de la Concorde.

EU Driving License Rule Changes

The EU will introduce new driving license rules by 2030 to boost road safety and standardise regulations across member states. Changes include the introduction of digital licenses, updated driving tests with a greater focus on risk awareness and safety, a two-year probationary period for new drivers, optional health self-assessments, and improved tracking of serious offences across the EU. Licence validity will generally be 15 years, with shorter periods for older or special-category drivers. France’s driving rules will be largely unaffected, as many of these measures are already in place.

Education Ministers’ Plans to Encourage Children to Read More

A recent study by France’s national book centre showed that children aged seven – 19 spend an average of 19 minutes reading per day, and 38% of teenagers aged 16-19 reported not reading at all. Education and Culture Ministers have proposed a decade-long strategy built around 15 measures aimed at encouraging children to read more.