,,,,In a survey of 1,006 adults by the polling firm IFOP just before the rentrée for the Sunday edition of the newspaper Ouest-France, only 33 percent of respondents described themselves as optimistic for the future of themselves and their children, the lowest figure in 13 years, and a drop from 53 percent since December. Some 67 percent said they were pessimistic.

Only 18 percent said they had confidence in the ability of Mr. Fillon’s government to ease the cost of living. In the last year, the prices of certain foods have risen considerably — chicken nearly 12 percent, milk nearly 13 percent....

According to the newspaper Journal du Dimanche, the French are the world’s biggest consumers of tranquilizers, with one of every five French men and women taking antidepressants....

from
Across France, Pessimism Clouds a Time for Renewal, by Steven Erlanger, August 30, Paris.

Does this mean Italy's funk from late last year is over or has it gotten worse? I believe they like to compete...