24 January –Klaus (storm) hit south-western France -Aquitaine,Poitou-Charentes,Midi-Pyrénées- and northern Spain, with wind speeds in excess of 193 kilometres per hour (120 mph). 12 people have died because of this storm in the country (28 in Europe).[1]
29 January – Strike action by French public sector workers causes major disruption to services.[2]
At the beginning of February: A conflict ignites the French universities concerning the statute of the searchers-teachers. Many voices claim moreover the abrogation of law LRU on the autonomy of the universities. The second half of the universities' year is very disrupted.
20 March : Child abduction of 3-year-old Franco-Russian girl Elise, by her Russian mother inArles (Bouches du Rhône).
29 March : Referendum on the departmentalization of island ofMayotte. The result is "Yes" with a crushing majority. Mayotte island will become the 101st Frenchdepartment.
3 and 4 April : Summit ofNATO inStrasbourg. France joined the integrated command of NATO, a decision which is far from making unanimity in the French political community. During the summit, large incidents occur in certain districts ofStrasbourg.
15 April : Coming into effect of the new plates of registrations on the new vehicles. New classification is allotted to life for each vehicle and comprises two letters, an indent, three digits, an indent and two letters. A number of department to the choice as well as the logo of the corresponding area is affixed on the line.
9 July : Youths protest inFirminy nearSaint-Étienne, after an Algerian man, Mohamed Benmouna, dies in police custody. His parents reject the official verdict of suicide.[6]
^VIèmes Jeux de la Francophonie Beyrouth 2009 (2009)."Les pays participants".Jeux2009. Archived fromthe original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved27 September 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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