#feministpolitics

[visionarycios]

France’s Political Turmoil Raises Borrowing Costs to Match Greece’s for the First Time

Source: luxtimes.lu

France’s political crisis is now impacting its financial markets, as the country’s borrowing costs reached the same level as Greece’s for the first time on record. On Thursday, the spread between French and Greek 10-year government bond yields narrowed to zero, reflecting growing concerns about France’s political crisis and economic stability.

The yield on France’s 10-year bonds stood at 3.001%, while Greece’s equivalent was at 3.030%. This parity indicates that investors are now demanding nearly identical returns for holding French and Greek debt. Greece has long been seen as a riskier borrower due to its history of financial instability.

Political Uncertainty Driving Market Anxiety

The shift in bond yields underscores the growing unease over France’s political crisis. Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government is struggling to secure support for the 2025 budget, which proposes 60 billion euros in tax increases and spending cuts to address France’s widening budget deficit.

The left-wing New Popular Front alliance has threatened to file a vote of no confidence if the government tries to push the budget through parliament. Compounding the issue, the far-right National Rally party has signaled its willingness to back the no-confidence motion, a move that could topple the government and lead to heightened political instability.

With no possibility of holding new elections until next June, political analysts predict prolonged uncertainty. The current minority government, formed by President Emmanuel Macron after parliamentary elections in 2023, faces increasing pressure to stabilize the situation.

Officials Defend Economic Stability

French officials are working to reassure investors, despite the troubling development in bond markets. Economy Minister Antoine Armand emphasized that France’s economy remains fundamentally strong and should not be compared to Greece.

Armand highlighted France’s robust economic activity, employment levels, and demographic advantages, asserting that the country’s situation is far from the debt crisis Greece faced in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crash. He also commended Greece and other southern European countries for their efforts to implement savings and reforms.

Investor Concerns and Expert Analysis

Market experts warn that France’s political crisis could ripple across European financial markets. Jason Da Silva, director of global investment strategy at Arbuthnot, noted that political instability in a major European economy like France is bound to cause market fluctuations. However, he suggested that such disruptions might prompt lawmakers to adopt measures aimed at boosting growth.

Da Silva argued that market pressure could push political leaders to address the economic challenges facing France, particularly as the European Union faces additional headwinds like potential trade tariffs.

Meanwhile, Rabobank analysts cautioned that the political crisis could deepen if far-right leader Marine Le Pen supports the no-confidence vote. This could potentially lead to Barnier’s removal from office, escalating uncertainty in both political and economic spheres.

A Widening Deficit and Debt Burden

While France’s economic challenges are not as severe as Greece’s during its debt crisis, the nation is in urgent need of fiscal reforms. France’s budget deficit is projected to reach 6.1% of GDP in 2024, well above the EU’s 3% limit. Additionally, public debt surpassed 110% of GDP in 2023, far exceeding the EU guideline of 60%.

In contrast, Greece, which endured the eurozone’s worst debt crisis, has made significant progress in stabilizing its economy. The country is projected to achieve 2.1% GDP growth in 2024 and has been steadily reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio, which is expected to drop to 153.1% in 2024 and further decline in subsequent years.

Broader Implications

The current developments in France highlight the challenges faced by EU member states in maintaining fiscal discipline while addressing political pressures. France’s situation underscores the need for swift action to restore investor confidence and prevent further economic fallout.

As markets closely watch the unfolding political drama, the stakes remain high for France’s government to navigate these turbulent waters and avert further damage to its economic reputation.

Read More: Markets Navigate New Trump Policies as Tariff Announcements Shake Sectors

[byronicreader]

The liar fears the void.

The void is not something created by patriarchy, or racism, or capitalism. It will not fade away with any of them. It is part of every woman.

“The dark core,” Virginia Woolf named it, writing of her mother. The dark core. It is beyond personality; beyond who loves us or hates us. We begin out of the void, out of darkness and emptiness. It is part of the cycle understood by the old pagan religions, that materialism denies. Out of death, rebirth; out of nothing, something.

The void is the creatrix, the matrix. It is not mere hollowness and anarchy. But in women it has been identified with lovelessness, barrenness, sterility. We have been urged to fill our “emptiness” with children. We are not supposed to go down into the darkness of the core.

Yet, if we can risk it, the something born of that nothing is the beginning of our truth.

The liar in her terror wants to fill up the void, with anything. Her lies are a denial of her fear; a way of maintaining control.

Why do we feel slightly crazy when we realize we have been lied to in a relationship?

- On Lies, Secrets and Silence by Adrienne Rich

[adoptatribble]

Getting my #feministagenda on at today’s primary and special election! ——————————————————————— Want to support my work or order a commission? Check out www.ko-fi.com/molly ♥️ #pocketsagainstthepatriarchy #feminism #2019primary #feministpolitics #ivotedtoday #hevotadohoy #pockets #feminist #feministflair #feministpins #enamelpins #pinstagram #pingamestrong #pingame #ithaspockets #phillyartist #feministart #feministswag #flair #pocketsforall #pincommunity #enamelpin #lapelpin #lapelpins #phillymade #feministpins #feministartist #madeinphilly #phillysupportphilly (at Olde Kensington, Philadelphia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxvm-aKArsf/?igshid=1f1p408pv5uzc

[thanks4remembering]

... and pick our beliefs apart. |As if I am not within me infinite versions of myself. | Sophia Al-Maria collaborated with artist Victoria Sin to present an alternative creation myth in a audiovisual display that drew DJ in as you can see in these pictures! #myths #disolvingbinaries #feministpolitics #ursulakleguin #thanks4remembering #ambiguityofexperience #indepthconversations #artasmedicine #artasmedicine #weareallmadeofstars #BCE (at Whitechapel Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYt7iQnHif/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2fv3dvfxd9de

[fandomsfitblrsandfanfics]

"Sisterhood could not be powerful as long as women were competitively at war with one another" #feminism #feministpolitics #feminist #feminismisforeverybody

[geographiesofthebody]

“But there is nothing restful about you, no...”

[byronicreader]

Women’s love for women has been represented almost entirely through silence and lies. The institution of heterosexuality has forced the lesbian to dissemble, or be labeled a pervert, a criminal, a sick or dangerous woman, etc., etc. The lesbian, then, has often been forced to lie, like the prostitute or the married women.

- On Lies, Secrets and Silence by Adrienne Rich

[byronicreader]

My mother never left a chance to remind me how safe I am compared to other women. She never left a chance to remind me that I have 'given' a lot of freedom to do things and I must not abuse my freedom. And this concept of freedom has always been used as a reward. Like training a dog with treats for good behaviour, I was 'provided freedom' to do things when I was mute and unquestioning. And the moment I started questioning, the freedom was taken away.

My school had this habit of awarding 'best student of the year' to one student across all grades every year. It's a great honour for us to receive that award. I used to work hard to score good marks to be at the top of my class. I even did sports, which I loathed, for this stupid award. At the end of the year, I was pretty hopeful that I would get the prize. I mean, I have worked hard. But, no surprises here, I didn't get it. When I asked my teacher about it later, she told me that I was boisterous and stubborn and I talk back which shows that I am yet to develop discipline. I was 10. I still nurse the wound of not getting that prize when I worked so hard for it.

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It is after that episode that I officially gave up being nice. And wherever I go, it has always caused me problems with the authorities. My professor was once kind enough to let me know that I will achieve nothing with my mouth running loose. While he has no problems with boys talking back, he schooled me how to be a good Hindu girl. I have always asserted my right to choose. I have always asserted my voice. I am loud and boisterous. Even if it led to beating me or hating me, I have never deterred. Because, my voice, my rights, and my freedom are worth more than whatever fight I had to put up with. I had this notion from a very young age but I was distracted by my own hypocrisy and biases.

Reading Fearless Freedom has been exhilarating. I have read so many things that are happening in our home and the outside as well that are disguised as 'normal.' I realized that the things which are done to us because I care about you are not about care at all. It is about the control they can exert over me. And I finally understood why all the authority figures in my life have been angry with me. When I assert my rights and voice my opinions, they lose the control they can exert which makes their veins throb with rage. The violence and threats are a result of this loss of control and never for my own good.

We are taught this stereotypical image of how a woman should be and how she should respond. We see it everywhere. There's no denying that. From custodial confinement to love jihad to military rape to femicides, we see violence and crimes against women as a form of upholding patriarchal honour. Using women as a ploy to satisfy the need to commit violence and perpetrate violence. The author shows us examples from all over the country and draws parallels to many international movements. The results are hopeful in some cases but most devastating. We are shown how women are just a shell of their former selves. We are shown how these caste hierarchies help in the exploitation of a woman's dignity. We are shown about the various propaganda that spews hate towards women, LGBTQIA folks and other minorities.

The author connects the political agenda and feminism and how these political agendas inflict a lifetime of trauma on the affected people. Catherine Malabou, a French philosopher, says, "We must all of us recognize that we might, one day, become someone else, an absolute other, someone who will never be reconciled with them-selves again, someone who will be this form of us without redemption or atonement, without last wishes, this damned form, outside of time." We all talk about the trauma of war. Trauma, caused by catastrophes or even a loss of a person close to us. But are we talking enough about the trauma of losing one's self? The trauma of being oppressed in our own home, by our own parents, siblings, husband, and eventually our children. The trauma inflicted by patriarchy.

Read Fearless Freedom not because it's about feminism but because it teaches how to be a feminist. It teaches us how to look at the bigger picture. It teaches us how to look past the bullshit of patriarchy. The only thing I felt lacking in this book is that there are very few instances of how men get affected by the same patriarchy. Other than that, this book is the perfect gem you were looking for to learn about Indian Feminism with a universal view.

[geographiesofthebody]

If we resituate the adolescent woman in a rich and empowering educational context, she develops a sense of self which is sexual as well as intellectual, social, and economic

Michelle Fine