France has begun the New Year with a shake-up of political privileges, long criticised as being out of touch. The move comes as the government grapples with increasing voter mistrust, according to an annual poll, and record levels of public debt.
From 1 January, France's automatic “lifetime” state benefits – including official cars, drivers and permanent police protection – for former prime ministers and interior ministers have been discontinued, with 24 police officers and 24 drivers withdrawn from former office holders.
