French Politics - World news, culture and opinion

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

News

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

Feature

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

News

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

News

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

In Depth

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

News

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

In Depth

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

News

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

News

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

'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

Profile

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

In Depth

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

News

'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 on May 19, 2024, at 8:52 am Simon Leplâtre Philippe Ricard

Op-Ed

'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

In Depth

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

In Depth

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

News

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

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

Column

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

Op-Ed

'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

News analysis

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

Your stories

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

Op-Ed

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

News analysis

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

News

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

News

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

In Depth

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

News analysis

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

In Depth

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

In Depth

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

Op-Ed

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

News analysis

'For Meloni's right, anti-fascism is a divisive factor'

The cancellation of writer Antonio Scurati's speech for the April 25 celebrations that mark the anniversary of liberation from Nazism and Fascism in Italy is seen as an act of censorship, reawakening a quarrel over the country's history.

Published on April 25, 2024, at 7:00 pm (Paris), updated on April 25, 2024, at 7:00 pm Allan Kaval

In Depth

2024 EU elections: French far right ditches candidate who made racist remarks

In 2017, Saidali Boina Hamissi referred to Comorians as 'vermin' and 'cockroaches.' The government has also accused him of being 'sexist,' a conspiracy theorist and a Putin 'admirer.'

Published on April 25, 2024, at 3:34 pm (Paris) Jérôme Talpin

News

In EU speech, Macron says Europe is 'mortal' and 'can die'

A few weeks ahead of the June European elections, the French president outlined his vision of Europe in a speech at the Sorbonne university in Paris.

Published on April 25, 2024, at 12:36 pm (Paris), updated on April 25, 2024, at 2:52 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

Macron seeks to revive EU elections campaign with Europe speech

Seven years after his Sorbonne speech on a 'sovereign Europe,' the French president is due to make proposals for a 'powerful Europe' on Thursday.

Published on April 25, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris) Virginie Malingre

News

France urges social media platforms to increase disinformation monitoring ahead of European elections

The minister for Europe said high rate of abstentions and foreign interference could possibly upset the June 9 vote.

Published on April 24, 2024, at 6:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

Top court confirms conviction of former French PM in fake jobs case

François Fillon was accused of fraudulently hiring his wife as a member of his staff when he was a member of parliament.

Published on April 24, 2024, at 2:53 pm (Paris), updated on April 24, 2024, at 3:29 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

EU elections: Former Frontex director and far-right candidate in France accused of complicity in crimes against humanity

Two organizations filed a complaint in against Fabrice Leggeri for having participated in the pushback of migrant boats by the Greek authorities to Turkey and in the interception of migrant boats by the Libyan coastguard.

Published on April 24, 2024, at 12:57 pm (Paris) Julia Pascual

Editorial

The need for a balance between freedom of assembly and public order

While La France Insoumise's choice to make the situation in Gaza central to its June 9 European election campaign seems questionable, the bans on Jean-Luc Mélenchon's conferences are no less problematic.

Published on April 23, 2024, at 4:11 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Long Read

Mélenchon seeks to turn down heat after coming under fire from rivals and allies

The radical left leader went back over his remarks comparing the University of Lille's president to the Nazi Adolf Eichmann, without retracting them.

Published on April 23, 2024, at 2:15 pm (Paris) Sandrine Cassini