- France no longer holds the presidency of the European Union. The Czech Republic takes over for the next 6 months, followed by Sweden.
- Twenty universities will be autonomous and independent from the state. They will be able to make their own budget and charge their own fees & tuition. If all goes well with these “test” universities, all universities in France could become independent within 5 years.
- No more commercials between 8pm and 6am on all state channels, starting January 5. No commercials at any time starting in 2011.
- SNCF should announce a new reduction card for disadvantaged and single-parent families sometime in January.
- The Carte Orange will disappear in Ile-de-France in February, being completely replaced by the pass Navigo.
- MInimum cost for a taxi will be 6 € with an increase in fare of 3.2%.
- The owners of cars that pollute at least 250 g of CO2 per kilometer will have to pay 160 € each year as a “malus.”
- Employers will have to reimburse employees 50% of their abonnement on public transportation for their commute to work.
- Employees in the private sector who do not want to retire at age 65 may work until 70, even without the consent of their employer.
- Mutuelles are increasing their prices by up to 4% to offset new taxes designed to finance the health insurance system.
- Household insurance will increase by 2 to 5%. Car insurance will remain the same, or even decrease.
- All banks can now offer the Livret A savings account to their customers.
- The TV tax (added into the taxe d’habitation) will be 118 € instead of 116 €.
- Passports, which are now biometric, will cost more: 89 € for adults, 45 € for 15-18 year olds, and 20 € for under 15.
- The new organization involved in the merger of ASSEDIC and ANPE, called Pôle Emploi, starts operating January 5.
- The revenu de solidarité active (RSA) will take effect July 1st, and replace the RMI (which is now 454.63 € for a single person with no children.)
- Low-income housing benefits will be révalorisé de 2.95% while the prestations familiales will increase by 3%.
