Despite strong polling figures, the French far right still has a ways to go before actually reaching power And they're looking to the local elections next weekend as a launchpad ⬇️ www.politico.eu/article/firs...

Le Pen’s far right eyes local elections as launchpad for French presidential bid

The National Rally’s strong polling numbers don’t guarantee victory.

politico.eu

Grassroots populism VS. centrist-leaning social-liberalism The French left has two very different options to try and stop a far-right takeover, with only one spot up for grabs. My latest for @politico.eu

Mélenchon vs. Glucksmann: The battle is on to lead France’s left against the far right

In the build-up to the EU’s most decisive election in 2027, the French left’s two main choices for presidential candidate are at each other’s throats.

politico.eu

In an incredible turn of events, France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned after less than three weeks in office, pushing France even further into unchartered territory

French PM and government resign, throwing Macron into chaos

The new administration had been appointed less than 12 hours before resigning. French markets and the euro are taking a dive.

politico.eu

Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison to be served immediately. He will be summoned in the coming weeks and go to jail.

Victor Goury-Laffont@victorglaf.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty taking part in a criminal association Sarkozy permitted his "close collaborators" to try to obtain funds from Gadhafi's Libyan regime ahead of his presidential run in 2007, the court found

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty taking part in a criminal association Sarkozy permitted his "close collaborators" to try to obtain funds from Gadhafi's Libyan regime ahead of his presidential run in 2007, the court found

Sarkozy found guilty in Gadhafi case

The former French president was accused of accepting illicit campaign donations from the Libyan dictator.

politico.eu

The far-right National Rally has never been more popular, and stands a realistic chance of winning the presidency when the next election is held in 2027 But it remains constantly dogged by legal troubles. I looked into why ⤵️

The French far right’s financial Catch-22

The National Rally is under investigation in a string of cases that all point to the same problem: how it funds itself.

politico.eu

French police are currently raiding the far-right National Rally's headquarters Prosecutors tell POLITICO that the raid concerns allegations of illegal campaign financing during the 2022 French presidential campaign, legislative elections and the 2024 European election

NEW: “The transformations that Paris made work better for everyone, including drivers.” I’m interviewed for this @politico.eu @victorglaf.bsky.social article on Paris Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social’s truly remarkable city-building legacy. @carlosmorenofr.bsky.social is quoted along with many mayors.

Seine swimming pool opening gives Paris mayor another jewel in her green crown

Making the famed river swimmable is one of the final big projects Anne Hidalgo will inaugurate before she leaves office next year.

politico.eu

Aix-Marseille University, in the South of France, is looking to draw in U.S. researchers at risk of seeing their funding cut Last week, its President Eric Berton even likened the situation to that of European academics who fled persecution by Nazi Germany

The first American ‘scientific refugees’ arrive in France

Aix-Marseille University is wooing researchers who feel targeted by the Trump administration.

politico.eu

MEP Rima Hassan returned to Paris after joining the Gaza-bound Freedom flotilla and spending three days in Israeli custody I spoke with her about the experience, her political rise, what she hopes to achieve in Brussels and the controversies around her:

Meet the face of France’s pro-Palestinian camp

The former Palestinian refugee-turned-MEP is making waves not just at sea but across Europe.

politico.eu

Les Républicains and the Socialists, the country’s old establishment parties, see a narrow window to reclaim relevance But the road ahead remains long after a decade of electoral disasters ⤵️

France’s historic parties vie for return to two-party politics

Les Républicains and the Socialists, the country’s old establishment parties, see a narrow window to reclaim relevance.

politico.eu

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has won the leadership of the country's main conservative party — a win which will push the party even further to the right and could open a new chapter in his journey towards the presidential election

French interior minister wins leadership of top conservative party

Bruno Retailleau has become a well-known figure in French politics since joining the government in September.

politico.eu

A deadly stabbing inside a French mosque has sparked accusations of double standards against the French government — and cast a spotlight on deeper issues of Islamophobia in France ⤵️

French interior minister under fire for slow response to deadly mosque stabbing

Bruno Retailleau attended campaign events before traveling to the scene of the crime.

politico.eu

The EU should issue a rebuke of Hungary for leaving the International Criminal Court if it cares about protecting international legal order, a Palestinian Oscar-winning director said.

EU must condemn Hungary for ICC exit, Palestinian Oscar-winning director says

Filmmaker Basel Adra also says Brussels should impose fresh sanctions on Israeli settlers violating international law.

ow.ly

France insists on the need for European unity on Trump tariffs as Meloni heads to Washington

Meloni’s solo Trump visit triggers anxiety in France

“We need to be united because Europe is strong if it’s united,” French industry chief warns as Italian PM heads to the White House.

politico.eu

Two high-ranking officials from France’s biggest far-right party publicly opened the door today to bringing down the government a week after Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement and subsequently barred from running for president.

French far right floats toppling government in wake of Le Pen verdict

Threats against Bayrou are increasing a week after Le Pen was effectively banned from running for president.

politico.eu

Marine Le Pen claimed that millions of her supporters were outraged by last week’s verdict against her. Yet barely a few thousand showed up at a rally to support her today in Paris ⤵️

Le Pen’s ‘Save Democracy’ rally after guilty verdict falls short of expectations

The French far right has framed the verdict against Le Pen as an attack on democracy — but was unable to attract a large crowd to a rally of support on Sunday.

politico.eu

The court of appeals announced that a new trial in Marine Le Pen's case could take place in 2026 If the decision to ban Le Pen from running immediately is overturned, she could still stand in the next presidential election — even if she's found guilty

Le Pen could still become French president after appeal slated for 2026

The shock decision comes after the far-right icon’s embezzlement conviction appeared to stop her running in 2027.

politico.eu

The French far-right spent months in apparent denial about Marine Le Pen's looming legal troubles With the presidential candidate now convicted and barred from running for office, her top allies are resorting to attacks against the court system

‘Jesus Christ also was found guilty and he was innocent,’ Le Pen codefendant says

Le Pen’s allies are not pulling their punches after Monday’s ruling.

politico.eu

Live from the Paris courthouse, where the verdict in Marine Le Pen's trial will be delivered in about an hour. If the court follows the prosecutor's recommendations, the far-right candidate could be barred from running in the next presidential election. @politico.eu

The French far right could lose its presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, if a court finds her guilty of embezzlement Monday. Yet despite the extraordinary stakes, her party has done little to prepare for a bad outcome ⬇️

Marine Le Pen’s presidential hopes could die next week. Her party hasn’t really planned for it.

France’s far-right powerhouse, the National Rally, has largely avoided discussing Le Pen’s legal troubles.

politico.eu

French prosecutors have requested that former president Sarkozy be sent behind bars for allegedly agreeing to take millions from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign

Nicolas Sarkozy trial: French prosecutors demand 7-year prison sentence for ex-president

Former conservative leader is accused of taking millions of euros from Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.

politico.eu

French President Emmanuel Macron says the representatives of more than 30 countries who gathered in Paris have “unanimously” agreed sanctions should not be lifted against Russia until “peace has clearly been established” in Ukraine.

Macron: Sanctions should only be lifted once ‘peace has clearly been established’

The French president spoke after meeting with representatives from more than 30 countries.

politico.eu

Despite Marine Le Pen's imminent trial and her father's death earlier this year, the Le Pen family's mark on French politics appears to be stronger than ever Today's front-page story for @politico.eu ⤵️

The House of Le Pen: France’s political immortals

Marine Le Pen’s political future may be cut short. Her father Jean-Marie is dead. Their movement, however, is set for a long life.

politico.eu

Two French far-right officials have been invited to an Israeli government conference despite decades-long accusations of antisemitism against their movement. The invitation has reignited tensions between Marine Le Pen and French Jewish organizations ⤵️

Le Pen family member heads to Israel for historic first official visit

The trip could serve as a watershed moment for Marine Le Pen’s party, which has sought to dispel accusations of antisemitism.

politico.eu

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza strip since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the enclave's Hamas-run health ministry said.

Gaza death toll tops 50,000 Palestinians since start of war

The grim milestone comes after Israel resumed strikes last week following the end of a two-month ceasefire.

axios.com

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney chose France for his first trip abroad, taking a series of not-so-subtle digs at Trump and emphasizing the need for a stronger relationship between Canada and Europe

Canada’s Carney starts first trip abroad with implicit digs at Trump

The new prime minister dubbed Canada “the most European of non-European countries” while speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

politico.eu

We’re hiring: POLITICO Europe is looking for a Food and Agriculture reporter. Apply here — and don’t hesitate to get in touch directly if you would like to find out more. jobs.mpleo.net/en/politico/...

Macron wants France to spend more on defense, but is vigorously against raising taxes With a hung parliament and no consensus on funding, the French president's plans for a better-funded military could face deadlock @laukaya.bsky.social @sarah-paillou.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/fran...

Welfare vs. warfare: France’s political parties divided over cash for defense

Macron’s calls for more military spending without tax increases have sparked fears over future cuts to social programs.

politico.eu

🚨Exclu @politico.eu Roland Lescure ne digère pas la dernière annonce commerciale d’EDF. “L’accord était très clair : l’industrie d’abord, le reste ensuite. Ils sont en train de sacrifier l’industrie", tempête l'ex-ministre, pour qui "EDF n’a pas rempli sa part du contrat.”