French press review 1 March 2013

The Pope bows out. A proposed French law goes easy on damage caused during industrial disputes. A proposed European law aims to limit bankers' bonuses. A French rocker dies. Diesel loses tax breaks. And skiing may be cheaper than sunbathing.

Right-wing Le Figaro and Catholic La Croix lead with Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. With a headline reading “Benedict’s last farewell” the Catholic newspaper opens with a two-page account of the Pope’s final day in office and a transcript of his final speech to the cardinals on Thursday morning at the Vatican.

As for Le Figaro, its headline on the story refers to the upcoming election of Benedict’s successor, reading “Benedict XVI leaves, the conclave gets ready”.

Le Figaro also gives front-page coverage to a bill, adopted Wednesday by the French Senate, that would scrap convictions for destruction of property committed during industrial disputes.

This bill, explains Le Figaro, has led to strong reactions from the right-wing opposition which describes it as criminal and who see it as a gift from the Socialist government to far-left political leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

The financial newspaper Les Echos’ front page announces a proposed European Union curb on excessive bonuses for bankers. According to the newspaper, bonuses will be capped at no more than the beneficiary’s fixed annual salary as from 2014.

Fearing for the City of London’s attractiveness, the British government is first in line to oppose the project, adds the newspaper, with many Euro-MPs describing it as “revolutionary”.

For the second day in a week, left-wing newspaper Libération has its entire front page covered with a black and white photo of a recently deceased celebrity.

After diplomat and writer Stéphane Hessel, who died Tuesday at age 95, today’s front page of the newspaper shows singer Daniel Darc, found dead yesterday in his Paris apartment.

Darc became famous in France in the 1980s with his rock band Taxi Girl before disappearing from public view when the band split.

There's just one other headline on

Libération’s front page, an exclusive look into diesel fuel and the upcoming abolition of tax exemptions on what is no longer the most eco-friendly fuel on the market.

Tabloid Aujourd’hui en France heads with a look at the  winter holidays, which begin today in France, and announces there will be no crisis for the snow, as the  ski season is predicted to be particularly good this year.

Skiing holidays have become cheaper than most beach-and-sun destinations.