French Politics

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New Caledonia's nickel: Key resource for archipelago and pro-independence movement

The sector accounts for a quarter of direct and indirect employment, but it has been devastated by the cost of energy. For the pro-independence movement, control of this resource remains crucial to achieving full sovereignty.

Published yesterday at 7:25 pm (Paris), updated yesterday at 7:28 pm Jean-Michel Bezat

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New Caledonia: Partial calm but gunfire in French territory under state of emergency

A sixth person was killed in the archipelago on Saturday, following an exchange of fire in the North Province.

Published yesterday at 11:16 am (Paris) Nathalie Guibert

News

Putin rejects Macron's call for Ukraine ceasefire during Olympics

The French president restated on Friday his idea of 'an Olympic truce so that Russia ceases its current operations' in Ukraine, to Putin's disapproval.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 5:56 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

New Caledonia: Six questions to understand the current crisis

Tensions in the French overseas territory exploded on May 13, leaving 5 people dead and dozens injured four days later. The government declared a state of emergency on May 15.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 5:06 pm (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 6:05 pm Les Décodeurs

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South Pacific countries are watching France and how it handles New Caledonia situation

The region's island nations are paying close attention to the violent crisis shaking the French overseas territory, and are calling for a return to dialogue in the archipelago.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 3:23 pm (Paris) Isabelle Dellerba

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EU elections: Raphaël Glucksmann, the opponent Macron's camp never saw coming

The presidential camp's strategy of ignoring the left-wing candidate is crumbling as the June 9 elections loom and Glucksmann is closing in on candidate Valérie Hayer.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 2:57 pm (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 3:01 pm Robin D'Angelo Claire Gatinois

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New Caledonia's economy is collapsing

After a fourth night of unrest in the French overseas territory, nothing seems to be able to stop the destruction of the archipelago's economy. The government convened a crisis unit on Thursday to assess the situation.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 11:34 am (Paris) Mathurin Derel

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Azerbaijan interference in New Caledonia is just part of the story

The French government has accused Baku of aggravating the situation on the island, but while the country's role in past destabilization campaigns is undeniable, its involvement in the current tensions is uncertain.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 1:10 am (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 7:57 am Damien Leloup

News

French former minister Damien Abad charged with attempted rape

The charge relates to a 2010 incident at a party the former minister gave at his Paris home, with two other cases dating from 2010 and 2011 being investigated.

Published on May 16, 2024, at 11:16 pm (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 8:05 am Le Monde with AFP

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Mélenchon seeks African allies with Senegal trip

The leader of France's radical left is on a four-day visit to Senegal, where he has met with the new prime minister, Ousmane Sonko.

Published on May 16, 2024, at 5:57 pm (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 8:44 am Coumba Kane

Explainer

Why and how TikTok was banned in New Caledonia

The French government blocked the social media app after a state of emergency was declared on the island. It is an unprecedented measure in the EU.

Published on May 16, 2024, at 12:50 pm (Paris) Florian Reynaud Damien Leloup

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Brussels forecast confirms EU's economic stall

Growth should pick up slightly thanks to buoyant consumption, but other indicators, starting with investment, remain sluggish.

Published on May 16, 2024, at 11:22 am (Paris), updated on May 16, 2024, at 11:25 am Virginie Malingre

Editorial

The French government's dramatic failure in New Caledonia

The reform of the territory's electorate has reawakened a near-civil war atmosphere, because major inequalities disadvantaging Kanak people persist, and the government has seemed to be biased in favor of one side.

Published on May 15, 2024, at 12:55 pm (Paris), updated on May 16, 2024, at 10:38 am Le Monde

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Second night of riots shakes New Caledonia: 'I didn't think it could come to this'

Two people died in the French overseas territory on Wednesday. The outburst of anger was sparked by a government reform to the territory's electorate.

Published on May 15, 2024, at 11:47 am (Paris), updated on May 16, 2024, at 10:34 am Charlotte Mannevy Mathurin Derel Nathalie Guibert

News

MPs approve New Caledonia constitutional reform as second night of violence shakes French territory

French MPs adopted the text expanding New Caledonia's electorate for provincial elections.

Published on May 15, 2024, at 6:02 am (Paris), updated on May 16, 2024, at 10:35 am Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

France's long road to reindustrialization

Despite a record investment amount announced at the Choose France summit indicating that efforts are paying off, the contribution to regional employment will remain modest.

Published on May 14, 2024, at 7:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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New Caledonia: Night of violent rioting revives grim memories of 1984

Roads blocked, businesses torched: On Monday, a wave of unrest spread across the French territory in the Pacific, as lawmakers in Paris were set to debate a constitutional revision on its status. In the capital Nouméa, violent clashes broke out with the police.

Published on May 14, 2024, at 2:54 pm (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 5:03 pm Charlotte Mannevy Nathalie Guibert

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French senators warn that France is 'submerged by drug trafficking'

After six months of investigation, a report by a Sénat committee on drug trafficking published its conclusions on Tuesday, May 14. It presents a worrying assessment of the situation, along with proposals for reform.

Published on May 14, 2024, at 11:08 am (Paris) Simon Piel Antoine Albertini Thomas Saintourens

News

Macron opposes TotalEnergies potential move to New York Stock Exchange

The French multinational's CEO Patrick Pouyanne has floated the idea of making the move from the Paris CAC 40 index to New York.

Published on May 14, 2024, at 1:03 am (Paris), updated on May 14, 2024, at 8:39 am Le Monde with AFP

News

European elections: Macron's candidate says she was tricked into photo with 'neo-Nazi' group

Valérie Hayer said activists from the neo-Nazi group set up a 'trap' for her, after a picture was shared of her next to a man wearing clothing with the slogan 'The White Race.'

Published on May 13, 2024, at 2:45 pm (Paris), updated on May 13, 2024, at 2:46 pm Le Monde with AFP

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France announces record foreign investment at Choose France summit

More than €15 billion in investments are set to be announced in Versailles on Monday, May 13, at this 'pro-business' forum, at which Macron gathered global business leaders.

Published on May 13, 2024, at 1:02 pm (Paris), updated on May 13, 2024, at 2:09 pm Bastien Bonnefous

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Macron considers debating Le Pen to avoid European elections fiasco

According to the president's supporters, such a face-off would illustrate the battle between 'nationalists and progressives' that they have sought to establish. Le Pen said she would not rule out taking part in a debate, but would prefer to hold it after the elections.

Published on May 13, 2024, at 10:53 am (Paris), updated on May 13, 2024, at 12:34 pm Claire Gatinois Corentin Lesueur

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Neo-fascists march through Paris despite government commitment to ban ultra-right demonstrations

Several hundred people took part in the event organized by the Comité du 9 Mai and authorized by the Paris Administrative Court on Saturday.

Published on May 12, 2024, at 3:34 pm (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

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What we know about the Chinese espionage operation targeting French lawmakers

In January 2021, several elected representatives received emails sent by APT31, a hacker group suspected of being controlled by Beijing. MEP François-Xavier Bellamy has announced his intention to file a complaint.

Published on May 11, 2024, at 9:01 am (Paris), updated on May 12, 2024, at 9:56 am Florian Reynaud

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Paris 2024: How are Olympic torchbearers selected?

The process of selecting 10,000 torchbearers from all over France was rather unclear.

Published on May 9, 2024, at 3:00 pm (Paris) Julie Bienvenu

Interview Subscribers only

'In the European Parliament, the resources of industrial lobbies are huge'

Faustine Bas-Defossez, from the European Environmental Bureau, a network that brings together NGOs from across the continent, describes how lobby groups have worked to obstruct environmental measures in Strasbourg and Brussels since 2019.

Published on May 9, 2024, at 3:11 am (Paris), updated on May 9, 2024, at 8:34 am Matthieu Goar

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Emma Rafowicz, the French Socialist undaunted by anti-Semitic attacks

Running in 8th place on the French Parti Socialiste's list of candidates for the European elections, the president of the Young Socialists has been targeted due to her family ties with an Israeli army spokesman.

Published on May 8, 2024, at 1:03 pm (Paris) Sandrine Cassini

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European elections: Macron's camp presents 48-part agenda and candidate list dominated by incumbents

The three leaders of the majority parties, Edouard Philippe (Horizons), François Bayrou (MoDem) and Stéphane Séjourné (Renaissance), as well as former prime minister Elisabeth Borne appear at the bottom of Valérie Hayer's slate.

Published on May 8, 2024, at 12:07 pm (Paris) Robin D'Angelo

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'Olympic truce' in Ukraine and hint of a trade battle dominate first day of Xi's visit to France

On Monday, Emmanuel Macron and the Chinese president launched a joint appeal for a ceasefire in Ukraine on the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games this summer. On the trade front, little progress has been made.

Published on May 7, 2024, at 11:42 am (Paris), updated at 8:52 am Simon Leplâtre Philippe Ricard

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'Welcoming Xi Jinping to France is a policy of complicity in the Uyghur genocide'

Sociologist Dilnur Reyhan, a French national of Uyghur origin, calls on President Emmanuel Macron not to remain silent on Beijing's genocidal policy when hosting Xi Jinping.

Published on May 7, 2024, at 1:23 am (Paris), updated on May 7, 2024, at 7:42 am Dilnur Reyhan

News

Macron and von der Leyen press China's Xi on Ukraine and fair trade at Paris summit

The French and EU Commission Presidents spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping in a trilateral meeting, kicking off Xi's two-day state visit to France with discussions of 'fair rules for all' in trade, as well as China's exports to Russia during its war in Ukraine.

Published on May 6, 2024, at 3:29 pm (Paris), updated on May 6, 2024, at 6:22 pm Le Monde with AFP

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At the European Parliament, the French far right has deliberately done nothing

For five years, almost all of the Rassemblement National's members of the European Parliament have shunned responsibilities. They are described as lacking the will and skills, but it is also a part of their political strategy.

Published on May 5, 2024, at 9:00 pm (Paris), updated on May 6, 2024, at 8:39 am Clément Guillou

News

France: Macron says a 'proportional aspect' in legislative elections 'would be good for democracy'

In an interview with dailies 'La Provence' and 'La Tribune Dimanche' on French political institutions, the president said he thinks it's 'always better to leave the choice to voters.'

Published on May 5, 2024, at 12:11 pm (Paris), updated on May 5, 2024, at 12:19 pm Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

Macron's meeting with Xi: Talking to China, without illusions

Faced with the world's second-largest power, France has no interest in going it alone and pandering to its Chinese counterpart. Only a united Europe has any chance of being heard by Beijing.

Published on May 4, 2024, at 1:01 pm (Paris) Le Monde

News

Xi Jinping in Paris: 'It's a slap from Macron,' say France's Uyghurs

While several Western countries, including the United States, France and the United Kingdom, have denounced an ongoing 'genocide' against the Uyghurs, the Chinese president is due to land to make a state visit to Paris on Monday and Tuesday.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 8:45 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

Editorial

Israel-Gaza: Legitimate student protests, some unacceptable excesses

The student protests in France and the US, against a massacre that Western powers are powerless to stop, are legitimate. But by reducing a complex situation to slogans, blockades hardly contribute to fruitful debates.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 2:46 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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European elections: Macron pick Hayer fails to unnerve far-right Bardella in debate

The ruling coalition's figurehead for the European elections failed to destabilize her far-right counterpart who lambasted President Emmanuel Macron's record during an encounter that often dwelt on non-European topics.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 2:27 pm (Paris) Clément Guillou

News

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy questioned in husband's witness tampering case

The wife of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is being investigated for her ties to a former 'paparazzi queen' suspected of orchestrating the retraction of a key witness in the case on Sarkozy's suspected Libyan campaign financing.

Published on May 2, 2024, at 3:27 pm (Paris), updated on May 2, 2024, at 3:30 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Macron to make rare state visit to Germany from May 26

The French president will join commemoration ceremonies marking the foundation of post-war West Germany and the end of Communist rule in East Germany.

Published on May 2, 2024, at 2:45 pm (Paris), updated on May 2, 2024, at 2:56 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Macron doesn't rule out troops for Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Speaking to The Economist, the French president said it's necessary to have a 'strategic ambiguity' when dealing with Vladimir Putin.

Published on May 2, 2024, at 12:54 pm (Paris), updated on May 2, 2024, at 4:44 pm Le Monde with AFP

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European elections: Glucksmann and Mélenchon clash after Socialist candidate expelled from protest

Raphaël Glucksmann, the top candidate for the Socialists in the European elections, was forced to leave a May Day protest after he was targetted by a group of far-left activists. He pointed the blame at the leader of the radical left Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 7:45 pm (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 8:00 pm Sandrine Cassini

News

May Day: Police say 120,000 march in France, union claims 200,000

There were skirmishes between police and protesters in Paris, with 45 arrests made in the capital.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 7:12 pm (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 7:46 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Le Pen urges 'crushing' defeat of Macron in speech ahead of European elections

At a campaign rally, Marine Le Pen framed the upcoming EU elections as an opportunity to reject President Emmanuel Macron.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 4:58 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

Op-Ed Subscribers only

Restitution of African cultural heritage: 'The postponement of the promised law is a shock to us'

Contrary to Emmanuel Macron's commitments in 2017, only 27 items have been returned to African countries, lament three museum and restitution officials from Benin, Nigeria, and Senegal. They call for 'rethinking relational ethics.'

Published on May 1, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 9:23 am Babatunde E. Adebiyi Fatima Fall Niang Alain Godonou

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European elections: Far right's Bardella 'has become the king of dodging'

Given the political clout the far-right Rassemblement National party claims to wield, its top candidate's evasiveness appears to be an admission of weakness, writes Le Monde columnist Françoise Fressoz.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Françoise Fressoz

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'Mr. Macron, we urge you to take action by all means necessary to overturn the death sentence of rapper Toomaj Salehi imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran'

A broad group of artists, writers, and human rights activists, including actress Golshifteh Farahani and cartoonist Marjane Satrapi, calls on French President Emmanuel Macron to act swiftly to save the artist sentenced to death in Iran for his support of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 8:43 am Group letter

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Twenty years after Poland's successful entry into the EU, its relationship with Europe has shifted

The country's accession to the European Union enabled its spectacular development over two decades, but the rise of populism has shifted the nature of public debate on European issues.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 3:00 am (Paris) Jakub Iwaniuk

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European elections: Young people explain why they won't go vote

They have already made up their minds. Weary of political gamesmanship, skeptical about the usefulness of voting, or preoccupied with other matters, young non-voters speak about the reasons that will keep them from casting ballots on June 9.

Published on April 30, 2024, at 11:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 9:21 am Yassine Karchi

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Macron's Sorbonne speech: 'On the defense of Europe, progress has been minimal since 2017'

While the French president's speech at the university testifies to his awareness of the scale of the Russian threat, much remains to be done to bring about a genuine change of strategic direction, wrties the former French ambassador Michel Duclos.

Published on April 29, 2024, at 5:00 pm (Paris) Michel Duclos

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EU elections: Poll shows far right remains well ahead in France, with Socialists on Macron's heels

Jordan Bardella's Rassemblement National (32%) and Raphaël Glucksmann's left-wing coalition (14%) are gaining voting intentions while the ruling coalition has fallen (17%), in the latest survey carried out by IPSOS in partnership with Le Monde.

Published on April 29, 2024, at 10:58 am (Paris), updated on May 13, 2024, at 10:35 am Julie Carriat

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European elections: The industrial issue enters the campaign

Several recent cases of struggling French companies have rekindled the debate on industrial policy in the European Union. On Thursday, Emmanuel Macron called for a 'joint investment shock' to confront the US and China.

Published on April 28, 2024, at 12:25 am (Paris) Bastien Bonnefous

News

Moody's and Fitch keep France's ratings unchanged

Fitch, which downgraded France's credit rating last year, left it at AA− on Friday evening. Moody's maintained the rating at Aa2, one notch above Fitch, but said it's 'unlikely' that France will hit its deficit target.

Published on April 27, 2024, at 12:18 am (Paris), updated on April 27, 2024, at 5:25 am Le Monde with AFP

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Climate change and the environment take a back seat in Emmanuel Macron's speech on Europe

On Thursday, the French president integrated climate concerns with other challenges, including energy, competitiveness, and production.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 11:30 pm (Paris), updated on April 27, 2024, at 12:55 am Matthieu Goar

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Mayors worry their police officers will be 'sucked into' Olympics security arrangements

To reassure mayors, especially those in tourist areas worried about the massive influx of Parisians fleeing the Olympic Games this summer, the Interior Ministry has said neither police nor gendarmes will be allowed to take time off.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 7:19 pm (Paris) Benoît Floc'h

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France's influence on the European political scene is waning

After playing a leading role in the EU's handling of the Covid-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine, Paris is now increasingly isolated within the EU.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 5:57 pm (Paris) Virginie Malingre

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French government holds its breath ahead of credit rating updates

Friday evening, Moody's and Fitch will issue opinions on France's credit rating. President Macron's government fears a reprimand from the rating agencies, which could have political consequences.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 3:45 pm (Paris) Elsa Conesa

Long Read

From de Gaulle to Macron, Le Monde's complicated relationship with French presidents

France's 'paper of reference' has had mixed relations with each of the eight presidents of the Fifth Republic, trying to balance its role as a counter-power and the delicate task of expressing a position ahead of elections.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 12:52 pm (Paris), updated on April 27, 2024, at 6:18 pm Raphaëlle Bacqué

Editorial

Macron's appeal to protect Europe

In his second speech at the Sorbonne, President Emmanuel Macron realistically said that Europe is losing in the face of the world's brutal evolutions.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 11:57 am (Paris) Le Monde

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Macron's grand ambitions for Europe ahead of EU elections

In a speech in Paris on Thursday, the French president called for a stronger EU defense and proposed doubling the EU budget to pave the way for a 'powerful Europe.'

Published on April 26, 2024, at 9:25 am (Paris) Virginie Malingre Philippe Ricard

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Debate on youth violence: 'Repression is a popular idea, but it's a failure'

Not only is the portrayal of violent and uncontrollable youth a longstanding political myth, but the many repressive policies adopted over the past two centuries have further destabilized vulnerable young people and their families.

Published on April 25, 2024, at 10:42 pm (Paris), updated on April 26, 2024, at 7:37 am Véronique Blanchard David Niget

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