The special regimes are inordinately generous, allowing many workers to retire on full pensions at the age of 55, and some as early as 50.

ECONOMIST: France

As for pensions, the government wants to raise both contributions and the retirement age, and to eliminate special regimes for members of Congress, teachers, oil workers and the armed forces.

ECONOMIST: Time is starting to run out for the government

And he wants to reform the special pension regimes for railway drivers and other state employees that enable them to retire early on full pension.

ECONOMIST: France's presidential election

The islands' ability to set low rates of taxation has been fundamental to their development as offshore financial centres: among the tax benefits they offer are special company-tax regimes, with little or no tax, to attract international business.

ECONOMIST: Offshore financial centres