Reuters – Developed countries with big budget deficits must start now to prepare public opinion for the belt-tightening that will be needed starting next year, the No. 2 official at the IMF said on Sunday.
Reuters – China’s trade balance could turn to a deficit in March, commerce minister Chen Deming said on Sunday, adding that adjustments to the yuan’s value would not by itself resolve global trade imbalances.
By Emma Jane Kirby
BBC News, Paris
France is returning to the polls for the final round of regional elections.
In the first round a week ago, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s right-wing UMP party received one of its lowest scores in decades.
The UMP won just over a quarter of the vote, while the opposition Socialists, combined with other Leftist parties, took 50%.
A poll now suggests that 57% of people would like to see a change of government after these regional polls.
Although these elections are meant to be about regional issues such as public transport, high unemployment and resentment over plans to reform several sectors including the judicial and pension systems have prompted many French people to use their ballot to punish the government.
In the first round ballot less than half of France bothered to vote – and that cost President Sarkozy’s right-wing party dearly.
Many people here are angry that his election promises – to make ordinary people richer and to make France more competitive – have failed to come good.
With three million people currently out of work, France is now suffering its highest level of unemployment in decades, while a series of unpopular reforms has prompted numerous strikes and protest over recent months.
The opposition Socialists, who already control 20 out of the country’s 22 regional councils, have paired up with other Leftists parties and Europe Ecologie – the Greens – for the second round and look certain to keep their lead.
The governing party has been further weakened by a strong showing for the far-right National Front party, despite efforts by the UMP to attract their voters with hard-line policies on immigration and law and order.
A recent poll now suggests that 57% of people would like to see a change of government after these regional elections.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
AFP – At 31, Ivan Ljubicic says he’s playing better than ever, and he showed it Saturday with a victory over Rafael Nadal for a berth in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final.
AFP – British Airways cabin crew entered a second day of strikes Sunday that forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, but the airline insisted thousands of passengers were still able to travel.
AP – Rick Wilson passed Phil Parsons with two laps to go to outlast 11 other retired NASCAR drivers Saturday in a non-sanctioned exhibition race organized by Bristol Motor Speedway.
AFP – The international community “strongly supports” Palestinian efforts to build a state, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said, branding all Israeli settlement activity illegal.
AFP – US President Barack Obama led Democrats in a triumphant, fist-pumping rally Saturday and confidently predicted Congress would rise to a century-old challenge and pass his health care overhaul.
AP – A 16-year-old boy who police said made an announcement at Walmart ordering all black people in a southern New Jersey store to leave was charged with harassment and bias intimidation, authorities said Saturday.
AP – A congressman who was spat on by a protestor on Capitol Hill says he is declining to press charges, but turns out the Capitol Police say they made no arrests.
AP – The killing of a veteran radio reporter by a motorcycle gunman in a northwestern state capital reignited concerns Saturday about the safety of journalists in Colombia.
