In Gabon, the weight of Françafrique…
Jean-Louis Coquillon, Vitré (Ille-et-Vilaine)
We understand that the French government is embarrassed to comment on the putsch which has just taken place in Gabon because the dynastic power of the Bongo family which has been exercised in Libreville since 1967 is the illustration to the point of caricature of the ” Françafrique. Omar Bongo had even exerted a real influence on French politics by corrupting our government elites, notably under Mitterrand and under Chirac. We should not be surprised to see Africans finally want to cut the umbilical cord. (“Gabon, a French story“, L’Express of September 7.)
…and the contradictions of the putschists
Eric Garnier, Villemomble (Seine-Saint-Denis)
If the new strong man of Gabon explains his coup d’état by a re-election stolen by Ali Bongo from Albert Ondo Ossa, why not immediately install the latter in power? Does he not have much greater legitimacy than that of General Oligui Nguema? (“Coups d’état in French-speaking Africa: the roots of chaos”L’Express of September 7.)
Pensions: the fault of the State
Alain Rochat, Lyon (Rhône)
Muriel Breiman’s article is very accurate. The civil service system is a financial disaster. While employer contributions in the private sector are 16%, those of the State – hidden in the form of subsidies – amount to 76.5%, which represents a deficit of 30 billion euros per year. Thank you and congratulations to L’Express: it is rare to read a short, good quality article, without unnecessary blabla. (“Pensions, a “hidden deficit”? Finally, the debate opens on the COR figures“, L’Express of August 10.)
Lazy generation
Catherine Lebrun
During Covid, many French people received 84% of their salary without working while the others worked remotely. Result: our dear compatriots now consider work a scourge! I understand that raising the retirement age to 64 has put people on the streets! However, should we remember that among our European neighbors, this age is often much higher? And yet, the French complain, without understanding that this attitude partly explains the deindustrialization of our country. If we don’t react, we will end up with Greece’s GDP… (“France advances weighted with soles of lead“, L’Express of August 31.)
A negative view of psychoanalysis
Yves Martrenchar, Paris
L’Express once again publishes an article which gives a truncated and negative vision of psychoanalysis in France. You are not talking about psychoanalytic psychologists who know how to diagnose autistic, dys or ADHD disorders, or who refer some of their patients to a psychiatrist for medical treatment, in addition to their own support. You are not talking about psychologists and psychoanalyst psychiatrists who know how to choose the method adapted to each patient, those who are aware that analytical treatment is only intended for certain of them, for example those with anxiety or depressive disorders. more or less strong, but certainly not to treat autistic disorders. I really like L’Express and its attachment to the facts. Hence my disappointment with this treatment of psychoanalysis. (“Psychoanalysis, such a French passion”L’Express of August 24.)
The useful idiots of the Kremlin
Isabelle Magnien, Saint-Prix (Val-d’Oise)
Your series on the Kremlin’s useful idiots will undoubtedly lead many of your readers to wonder about the proportion of people ticking one or more of the boxes in the profiles presented in their own circle. We live in a world of cowards who fear above all else risking any part of their comfort. This is not how the West will demonstrate that democracy is the least bad of regimes. (“War in Ukraine: who are the pro-Russians?L’Express of July 20.)
Take part in “The beach for entrepreneurs”, with L’Express
The town of Arcachon (Gironde) is hosting “La Plage aux entrepreneurs” on September 14, an event dedicated to made in France and to those – artisans, industrialists or public officials – who support and promote it. This second edition, of which L’Express is a partner, is sponsored by Louis Gallois, former boss of SNCF and Airbus. Under the aegis of the Origine France Garantie association, chaired by Gilles Attaf, several round tables will bring together business leaders from all walks of life, as well as political figures such as Arnaud Montebourg and Yves Jégo. The Minister of SMEs, Commerce, Crafts and Tourism, Olivia Grégoire, will close the debates.