French Press Review 26 June 2009

by Mark Rodden

Article published on the 2009-06-26 Latest update 2009-06-26 12:47 TU

Swine Flu, Presidential visits and the death of a pop legend are what the French press focuses on today.

Never one to miss out on the opportunity for some scaremongering, right wing Le Figaro reports that swine flu could soon affect up to 50 per cent of the French population. It quotes experts who suggest that the deadly virus could make a strong comeback when the colder autumn weather arrives.

Left-wing Libération analyses French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to the French Caribbean. This follows a 44-day strike over the cost of living that brought the French territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe to a standstill in January.

Sarkozy seemingly received a warm enough welcome when he arrived in Martinique yesterday but Libé suggests that his visit to Guadeloupe today – albeit all of seven hours long – could be somewhat more uncomfortable as people make their grievances known.

Le Parisien devotes its front page to the news that iconic pop star Michael Jackson has passed away. The man nicknamed the King of Pop died at the age of 50, less than three weeks before he was due to make a touring comeback with a gig in London. Will we ever see his like again?