France's President Nicolas Sarkozy attends a meeting with local authorities and small entrepreneurs to present his government policy for employment in Caligny, north-western France, September 3, 2009.PHILIPPE WOJAZER
Kesterton's France
- The country has the lowest retirement age in Europe - 60 - and, for the first time, retired persons in France are receiving a greater monthly income than working people.
- France has remained a constant champion of nuclear power, which provides 80 per cent of its electricity. It is home to Areva, a largely state-owned company that is the world's biggest builder of atomic reactors.
- The country's bureaucracy is famous. Last year, French immigration reforms saw the creation of a new government super department: the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually Supportive Development.
- McDonald's France is the second most-profitable branch in the world of the food franchise. Only Americans enjoy McDonald's hamburgers more than the French. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants - 191 - than Paris, with 64.
- This is "France-Russia" year, a giant mutual marketing exercise. French was the language of the Imperial Russian court and Russia remains the No. 1 export market for French books.
( Michael Kesterton writes the daily Social Studies column in the Globe and Mail, for the G20 Summit he's contributing useful facts and information on member nations)
World Cup
- Odds: 16:1
- Nickname: Les Bleus
- Star players: Thierry Henry, Frank Ribery, William Gallas
- Globe Sports: Group A news archive
Culture
Top cultural exports: Cinema; Fashion; Serge Gainsbourg; Classical music and opera.
Food: Haute cuisine, cheese, croissants, baguettes, wine, Champagne
Notable Canadian relation: Jean-Daniel Lafond - film-maker and husband of Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean; Louis Hémon - author of Maria Chapdelaine; Jerome Miniere, musician.
Speed Limit: 130 kilometres an hour
National pastime: Tour de France, wine
Politics
President: Nicolas Sarkozy
- Age: 55
- Elected: April 22 and May 6, 2007
- Party: Union pour un Mouvement Populaire
- Legislature: Bicameral, elected National Assembly, elected Senate
- Political System: Semi-presidential
- Debt: 68.1% of GDP
Background: Since 2004, Mr. Sarkozy has been the president of Union pour un Mouvement Populaire, a major right-wing party. He has also held positions as the minister of state of economy, finance and industry, minister of the interior and minister of the budget.
At last year's G20 summit in London, Mr. Sarkozy was not only adamantly opposed to debt-financed stimulus packages but he also threatened to walk out if he didn't see stronger global financial regulations or results.
G20 Plans: Along with the United Kingdom, President Sarkozy is supportive of the proposed global bank tax.
Last month, the G20 steering committee, which includes Canada, the U.S., South Korea, and the U.K., agreed that more transparency and international co-operation is necessary for stabilizing and sustaining the global financial system.
Economy
Gross Domestic Product: $2.85-trillion
Jobless rate: 9.9%
Gross government debt (as a percentage of GDP)
- 2000: 57.3
- 2009: 77.4
- 2015 (projected): 95
NATION PROFILES
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