While politicians encourage French people to buy products that are "made in France", an investigation by a daily newspaper suggests they may not be practising what they preach.

"/> While politicians encourage French people to buy products that are "made in France", an investigation by a daily newspaper suggests they may not be practising what they preach.

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NICOLAS SARKOZY

Made in France? Political parties off-message

While politicians encourage French people to buy products that are "made in France", an investigation by a daily newspaper suggests they may not be practising what they preach.

Made in France? Political parties off-message
Izabela Habur

20 Minutes looked at the products sold by the three major parties contesting presidential elections this spring.

At the headquarters of the far-right Front National, T-shirts are on sale with the slogan “les gars de la Marine” (a play on words as the phrase means “the boys of the navy”, but Marine is the name of the party leader, Marine Le Pen).

Selling for €10 ($13) each, shoppers might expect the fiercely patriotic party’s products to be made in France. 

Marine Le Pen herself told a public meeting in December of her horror that the post office was “taking delivery of scooters from Thailand.” Yet the party’s T-shirts are made in Bangladesh.

“Yes, they’re from abroad,” the shop manager told the newspaper, “but the printing is done in France.” However, he said the lighters were French-made.

At the headquarters of the governing UMP party, which President Sarkozy is likely to lead into the election when he officially declares his candidacy, there’s a mixed picture.

Mugs and ashtrays proudly carry the “fabriqué en France” mark, while the T-shirts are made in Morocco and the calculators come from China.

Socialist party officials said they made every effort to have products from France but that “certain products are impossible to make in France or even in Europe.”

T-shirts, yet again, are imported, this time from Portugal. “But the flags are made in the Drôme” said an official. 

Only the centrist MoDem party, led by François Bayrou, thinks it will live up to the “made in France” mandate.

It will sell T-shirts made in Brittany and pencils from the Vosges. The party’s online story is still yet to launch though, so it’s too early to say whether every product on sale will be proudly French.

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BAN

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban

It is one of Germany's more surprising laws that has led to protests throughout the years.

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban
There are restrictions on dancing in Germany during Easter. Photo: Depositphotos/pitangacherry

With restrictions varying across the country's 16 states, the dancing ban, or 'Tanzverbot', effectively bars public dancing on the Christian holiday. In some states, including Hesse, the ban lasts for more than one day.

Now authorities in Frankfurt, the biggest city in Hesse, have vowed to crack down on anyone who ignores the ban that’s in place from Thursday to Saturday, reported regional newspaper the Frankfurter Rundschau (FR).

According to the law in Hesse, a fine of up to €1000 can be handed out to anyone who puts on a public dance event, the spokesman for the Ordnungsamt, Ralph Rohr, told the FR.

One of the city’s mayors, Uwe Becker, of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), has called for residents to show respect for those who observe the religious Easter holiday, and not take part in any dancing.

“Even those who do not belong to a religion themselves should show respect for the feelings of others,” said the CDU politician who is head of the church department in Frankfurt.

The law in Hesse states that dancing in public is forbidden from 4am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 4am until 12 noon.

According to Rohr, city police will conduct their usual checks during this time.

“If complaints are received, police will investigate them,” said the Ordnungsamt spokesman.

In response to the FR's question as to whether dancing would be stopped, Rohr said: “We will end what is not allowed.” Clubs will be contacted by authorities and warned in advance.

SEE ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

Ban is contentious

As well as dancing, other activities are banned at Easter time, such as sporting events and gambling. The ban on dancing has led to protests across Germany throughout the years.

Centre-left Social Democrats politician Kevin Kühnert recently said the ban should be abolished. He said people should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to celebrate or not.  He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk that “anyone who wants to go to a disco that day should be able to do so.”

A protester at a demo in Stuttgart in 2015 holds placards that read: 'We dance when we want!' and 'Release the dance!' Photo: DPA

Not surprisingly, club capital Berlin is the most liberal state when it comes to upholding the silent public holiday, with the 'Tanzverbot' only in place from 4am to 9pm on Good Friday.

In the southern state of Bavaria, which is largely Catholic, the ban runs for 70 hours: from 2 am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday. Penalties vary, but people who flout the law, which tends to be event organizers or club owners, risk fines of up to €1,500.

'Important gesture'

Meanwhile, in Frankfurt, Becker urged all citizens to comply with the legal regulation on Good Friday.

For many Christians it is deemed inappropriate to dance or celebrate during Holy Week – the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday. Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, is of particular importance. For Catholics, the day is traditionally meant for fasting and abstinence.

Becker said that not taking part in “loud and exuberant celebrations” is “an important gesture” that shows respect to “fellow human beings”.

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