Economist.com Cities Guide: Paris Briefing - February 2006

News this month

Corruption, root and branch

One of France's biggest corruption scandals—which many believe reaches all the way to President Jacques Chirac—went to trial on January 23rd in Paris. Forty-five businessmen, one public servant and three former public servants are in court for bribes allegedly given by contractors in the late 1980s and early 1990s to the Rally for the Republic party (RPR, now merged into the ruling UMP) in return for lucrative house-building deals. At the time Mr Chirac was both party leader and mayor of Paris.

The affair is a juicy one, filled with stories of suitcases of money allegedly changing hands in Mr Chirac’s presence; a judicial raid on the home of Jean Tiberi, the ex-mayor of Paris; harassment of the main investigator’s family; and a tell-all posthumous confession from one of the bribe-taking RPR henchmen. But the trial has come as a bit of a letdown, since no politician is in the dock. As president, Mr Chirac—who ignored a 2001 subpoena to testify in the affair—is granted immunity from judicial scrutiny. The cour de cassation, the highest appeals court in France, actually granted him immunity—from prosecution or the need to stand as a witness—for the duration of his presidency, as a result of his stance against this subpoena. Many wager that the president, despite his flagging popularity, will try to win re-election in 2007—if only to keep clear of the legal landmines that await him outside.

Immature thrill-seekers

The November riots that swept through France’s suburbs were “largely spontaneous” and the work of thrill-seeking youths, according to a French public prosecutor. Jean-Claude Marin made his judgment after analysing data on the 57 people brought before Parisian courts for infractions relating to the unrest. Three-quarters were aged 16 to 21, more than half had no criminal record, and 87% were French citizens. Unsurprisingly, the areas that suffered most at the hands of those arrested were also the most populated, with the north-eastern 19th arrondissement registering 30% of their crimes. Although the sample was small—the prosecutor analysed only those charged in Paris, rather than the suburbs—Mr Marin said it seemed that the perpetrators were “immature and out to have fun”. They were not involved in identity-based politics or acting in the service of a larger religious cause.

His conclusions contrast with those of Nicolas Sarkozy, the interior minister, who said in November that the violence was “perfectly organised” by mafia, gang elements or perhaps Islamic radicals. His political rival, the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, has concentrated on trying to encourage job creation in the affected zones, where unemployment can reach up to 40%.

Health, happiness and the tramway

After a dismal year in which Paris failed in its Olympic bid and saw violent suburban riots, Bertrand Delanoë, the mayor, promised a brighter 2006. His traditional New Year's address laid out a busy 365 days for the capital, with an emphasis on improving traffic and public transport. The crowning jewel will be modern Paris’s first tramline, which should begin running on the southern perimeter of the city this year, after more than two years in the making. Mr Delanoë also plans to create more space on the roads for buses and cyclists, and less for motorists. For years he has sectioned off lanes on major thoroughfares for public transport and taxis only. Furthermore, he is creating “green zones” where car traffic is limited or totally blocked at certain times. City residents have been promised 12,000 low-priced parking spots, as well as the right to rent unused spots on public-housing estates. But 35,000 spots that are now free could soon attract charges.

The mayor’s rivals are already revving their engines ahead of the 2008 election. They have attacked his “war on the car”, and argued that traffic snarls on main thoroughfares, partly caused by construction of the tramline, have created yet more pollution. But Mr Delanoë and his Green Party deputy in charge of transport planning, Denis Baupin, are sticking by the claim that they are merely tweaking public space in favour of pedestrians and prams.

In the swim

City Hall has other, more exotic plans for 2006 besides traffic control. From June, Parisians will be able to swim by the Seine in a new pool on the Left Bank, at the foot of the National Library. The complex will sport a retractable roof and a large terrace for sunbathing, as well as a café. Meanwhile, what was once the world’s largest aquarium, l'Aquarium du Trocadéro, will reopen this summer after a 21-year hiatus, much improved with fresh- and salt-water environments overlooking the Trocadéro gardens.

Mr Delanoë has also underlined his high-tech credentials by drawing up plans to lay fibre-optic cables beneath the city to increase internet speeds. He says he would encourage service providers to offer free dial-up access for low-income households.Pollution improvements
Parisians worried about pollution can breathe more easily, after statistics released in January showed a small improvement in air quality. The quantities of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and benzene have dropped radically, due largely to technological improvements in industry, vehicles and petrol. But Airparif, the body monitoring the city's air quality, said Paris would still not meet EU goals for 2010 since other pollutants have increased, notably nitrogen dioxide, fine particles and ozone. Philippe Lameloise, the Airparif director, said that ozone cannot be controlled simply by shutting down Paris traffic, since one-third of all the city’s ozone comes from other cities or outlying suburban areas.

Catch if you can

February 2006

Ron Mueck

Until February 19th 2006

Some things are better left unobserved, but the exacting eye of Ron Mueck makes sure you can’t miss them. The Australian sculptor is unflinching, if not unkind, in his reproduction of the human form in five new works designed specially for this Fondation Cartier show. These hyper-realistic works, which capture every wrinkle and blemish in silicone and fibreglass, are immensely disturbing, not least because they are often hugely oversized or remarkably small.

Mr Mueck's work in the past has included a towering pregnant woman, replete with saggy knees, and a brand new baby, pink and wrinkled. This show features a “wild” man, possibly homeless and confused; two old ladies in a park, stockings sagging; and a huge face, Mask III (pictured). Mr Mueck honed his skills making puppets for children’s television programmes such as “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show”, but the effect here is much more attuned to adults.

Fondation Cartier, 261 bd Raspail, 14th arrondissement. Tel: +33 (0)1 4218 5650. Open: Tues-Sun noon-8pm. Métro: Raspail. For more information visit the museum's website.

More from the Paris cultural calendar