French home appliance giant, the Seb Group, has announced a restructuring plan involving the elimination of up to 2,100 jobs worldwide in the face of strong competition from Asia. Simultaneously, the Vatican announced a diplomatic offensive by Pope Leo XIV, including a historic visit to Monaco and a pilgrimage to Algeria. In the background of these economic and religious events, France is grappling with the aftermath of record floods, which are slowly receding in the country's western departments.

Workforce Reduction at Seb Group

The company will eliminate 2,100 positions worldwide by 2027, aiming for savings of around 200 million euros.

Historic Papal Pilgrimages

Leo XIV will visit Monaco at the end of March and Algeria in April, a move of significant diplomatic weight.

End of Flood Alerts

French meteorological services have lifted the red alert, but water levels in the western part of the country are receding slowly.

EU Support for Winemakers

The European Commission will unlock 40 million euros in aid for the wine sector struggling with geopolitical pressure.

The French economy is facing serious structural challenges, as confirmed by the latest decisions of the Seb Group, owner of brands such as Tefal, Moulinex, and Rowenta. The company announced a nearly 7% reduction in its workforce, translating to a loss of 2,100 jobs globally, including 500 in France. According to CEO Stanislas de Gramont, this step is necessary to restore profitability after a difficult 2025 and to adapt to the aggressive pricing policies of Asian trading platforms. However, management emphasizes that in France, the cuts will be based on voluntary principles and will not directly affect production lines. In the sphere of diplomacy, the Holy See is preparing a series of unprecedented events. Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, will travel on a one-day visit to Monaco on March 28. This will be the first visit by the head of the Catholic Church to this principality in modern times. An even stronger political resonance is expected from the planned April trip to Algeria, where Islam is the state religion. The papal schedule also includes Angola, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, signaling a strong opening of the Vatican to the African continent. Since the 1960s, when Pope Paul VI initiated modern foreign pilgrimages, apostolic visits have become a key tool of Vatican diplomacy, extending beyond purely pastoral goals.At the same time, the hydrological threat in France is subsiding. Recession in the Charente and Maine river basins has allowed for the lifting of the highest-level weather alert. Despite the improving weather, losses for local businesses are severe, and the European Commission has already announced immediate financial aid of 40 million euros for French wine producers, who are also struggling with US tariffs and declining demand. „Cette visite s'inscrit dans la continuité des liens séculaires qui unissent la dynastie des Grimaldi aux Successeurs de Pierre.” (This visit is part of the continuity of the centuries-old ties that unite the Grimaldi dynasty with the Successors of Peter.) — Pope Leo XIV

Mentioned People

  • Léon XIV — Pope elected in May 2025, planning numerous foreign trips in 2026.
  • Stanislas de Gramont — CEO of the Seb Group, responsible for the company's restructuring plan.
  • Christophe Hansen — EU Commissioner for Agriculture, announced aid for French farmers and winemakers.
  • Gisèle Pelicot — Author of the bestselling book 'Et la joie de vivre', victim of a high-profile rape trial.