French politics

France

France's beleaguered PM Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes

Lecornu’s survival also spares the immediate need for French President Emmanuel Macron to call snap legislative elections.

16/10/2025

France

France's PM proposes suspending retirement age law until 2027

With his government hanging by a thread, France's newly reappointed prime minister must make concessions to avoid a no-confidence vote this week.

14/10/2025

France

Former French President Sarkozy to go to prison in Paris on 21 October

On 25 September, a Paris court found the former French leader guilty of criminal conspiracy involving the use of funds from Libya to finance his 2007 presidential campaign.

13/10/2025

France

French PM Lecornu names new cabinet ahead of 2026 budget deadline

Lecornu, France's fourth prime minister in a year, formed his first government last week before resigning just hours later. He was re-appointed on Friday night.

12/10/2025

France

French President re-appoints Sébastien Lecornu as PM in shock move

Lecornu’s comeback was as a major surprise following comments by him on Wednesday that he was not “chasing the job” and that his “mission is over.”

10/10/2025

France

French President Macron to name a new prime minister by Friday evening

French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister within 48 hours of Wednesday evening, the Élysée Palace has announced, as outgoing PM Sébastien Lecornu dismisses the possibility of parliamentary elections.

08/10/2025

France

France's president increasingly isolated as political crisis deepens

As outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s last-ditch 48-hour window to form a new government nears its end, France’s political class and citizens are bracing for the president’s next move.

07/10/2025

France

What comes next for France after PM Lecornu's shock resignation?

Lecornu's abrupt resignation plunges France into a deeper political crisis and leaves French President Emmanuel Macron with few options.

06/10/2025

France

Recently appointed French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigns

Following his resignation on Monday, Lecornu became the shortest-serving prime minister of France since 1958.

06/10/2025

France

New French PM Lecornu assembles cabinet amid intense protests

Amid protests, Lecornu finalised the cabinet with Bruno Le Maire as the armed forces minister. President Macron's allies retain posts, and a general policy speech is awaited.

05/10/2025

France

What does Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction mean for France?

Sarkozy received a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy in a complex scheme allegedly involving the former Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

25/09/2025

Europe News

French ex-leader Sarkozy given five-year prison sentence in Libya case

After an extended detailing of its ruling on Thursday, the court sentenced Sarkozy to five years in prison "with deferred effect", an immediate five-year ban on any public function, and a fine of €100,000.

25/09/2025

Europe News

French budget cut strikes turn violent amid clashes in Paris

France faces nationwide disruption as hundreds of thousands protest against new austerity measures on Thursday. Major unions called for action, with significant impacts on transport and schools.

18/09/2025

France

Lecornu announces end to 'lifetime' benefits for ex-prime ministers

Lecornu was named prime minister on 9 September, replacing François Bayrou who lost a vote of confidence in parliament after proposing €44 billion in budget cuts in a bid to reign in France's national debt.

16/09/2025

France

Yellow Vests and Block Everything — two sides of the same French coin?

A new citizens' movement called Block Everything has taken to the streets of France. Is there more to it than a remake of the 2018 Yellow Vests anti-government protests?

12/09/2025

France

200,000 protest across France in first test for new prime minister

According to the Ministry of the Interior, 200,000 people demonstrated across France but labour unions put the figure at more than 250,000.

10/09/2025

France

Emmanuel Macron names Sébastien Lecornu as new French prime minister

Lecornu was already tipped for the position last year and will succeed François Bayrou who was ousted after losing a confidence vote in parliament on Monday.

09/09/2025

France

After Bayrou's fall, France braces for 'Block Everything' protests

Although French President Macron did not take long to name a new prime minister, Wednesday’s demonstrations mark the start of a prolonged season of unrest and deep discontent

09/09/2025

France

What’s next for Macron and who could become France’s next PM?

After François Bayrou’s downfall, Emmanuel Macron faces the tough decision of whether to find a fifth prime minister in under two years or call for snap elections.

09/09/2025

France

Marine Le Pen's appeal trial set for January ahead of French elections

The appeal trial is set to last five weeks, with the verdict expected before next summer, ahead of the high-stakes presidential election in 2027.

08/09/2025