Politico Europe
• 30/03/2026
PARIS — Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is emerging as the strongest challenger to far-right figures Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential race, a new poll suggests.
A survey published by pollster Elabe Saturday shows Philippe, whose reelection as mayor of Le Havre has helped bolster his presidential bid, separating himself from a crowded field of candidates to take on whoever represents Bardella and Le Pen’s party, the National Rally.
Le Pen...
This archived item refers to former French PM best placed to beat far right in 2027 presidential race, poll shows. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 29/03/2026
POLITICO announced today that Jonathan Greenberger has been named Global Editor-in-Chief, effective May 1. In this role, Greenberger will oversee all aspects of POLITICO’s global newsroom. Greenberger succeeds John Harris, who will assume the role of POLITICO Chairman.
In making the announcement, POLITICO CEO Goli Sheikholeslami said, “Over the past 15 months, the world has shifted fundamentally, and the investments POLITICO has made over the last three years have positione...
This archived item refers to jonathan Greenberger named POLITICO global editor-in-chief. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/03/2026
PARIS — The French government will spend €70 million to subsidize the price of fuel for farmers, logistics companies and fishermen from April 1 until the end of the month.
“We have built a response at the national level which is gradual, targeted, sector-specific and limited to the month of April,” Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Friday evening, presenting the plan amid spiking energy prices caused by war in the Middle East.
“My primary con...
This archived item refers to france to spend €70M on fuel subsidies for farmers, trucks and fishermen in April. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/03/2026
PARIS — South Africa is alleging that France rescinded President Cyril Ramaphosa’s invitation to the Group of Seven leaders’ summit in June due to pressure from the United States.
Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for Ramaphosa, told POLITICO that Paris, which is holds the G7’s rotating presidency this year, caved to the demand after Washington threatened to boycott this year’s meeting in Evian-les-Bains if South Africa were invited.
“We’ve accepte...
This archived item refers to uS pressured France to disinvite South Africa from G7 summit, Pretoria alleges. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/03/2026
PARIS — Enfin, l’horizon se dégage. Voilà plusieurs mois qu’Edouard Philippe sillonnait Le Havre, érigeant sa réélection au poste de maire en indispensable sésame pour ouvrir son chemin vers la présidentielle. Pendant ce temps, à Paris, en toute discrétion, son équipe préparait déjà 2027 en faisant mouliner différents groupes de travail.
Ce mardi 17 février au matin, au siège du parti, dans le très chic 16ème arrondissement de Paris, la députée Anne-Cécile Violland et Clément T...
This archived item refers to sur le climat, Edouard Philippe phosphore (encore) pour 2027. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/03/2026
PARIS — French far-right leaders jumped to the defense of National Rally MEP Fabrice Leggeri over accusations that he was complicit in crimes against humanity while head of the EU’s border agency, Frontex.
Party leader Jordan Bardella said on X that Leggeri was the victim of “harassment by far-left judicial organizations,” after newswire AFP reported that the Paris Court of Appeal could open a probe following a complaint lodged by human rights groups.
Human rights organizations Ligue d...
This archived item refers to le Pen and Bardella back former Frontex boss over crimes against humanity accusations. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/03/2026
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel on Tuesday not to expand its military campaign in southern Lebanon, warning a ground offensive would deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis.
“We urge the Israeli authorities to refrain from such ground operations which would have major humanitarian consequences and would worsen the already dramatic situation in the country,” Barrot said in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
His comments come as Israeli Defense Minister Isra...
This archived item refers to france warns Israel against Lebanon ground offensive. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/03/2026
PARIS — Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s reelection as mayor of Le Havre is positioning him as the leading candidate to take on the far right in next year’s presidential election.
The contest was an important test for the center-right politician, as he had conditioned his bid for the Elysée on securing another term leading the industrial port city, which in the past tended to lean left. A poll released ahead of the vote showed Philippe in real danger of losing to a Communis...
This archived item refers to former French PM fortifies presidential bid with strong showing in municipal race. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/03/2026
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen hailed Hungary’s Viktor Orbán for blocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
“I’d prefer it if we didn’t have to wait for other countries to take good decisions,” Le Pen told reporters on a trip to Budapest for a meeting of the Patriots for Europe group, of which her National Rally and Orbán’s Fidesz are members.
Le Pen argued that France could no longer afford to support Ukraine’s war effort due to its hi...
This archived item refers to ‘Good decision.’ Le Pen supports Hungary blocking EU’s Ukraine loan. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/03/2026
PARIS — Lionel Jospin, a Socialist prime minister under center-right French President Jacques Chirac, has died at age 88, his family told AFP.
Jospin, a household name in France and a social-democratic heavyweight, left politics after failing to qualify for the second round of the 2002 presidential election, which saw far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen qualify for the first time.
The result sent shockwaves through the country and foreshadowed the National Rally’s steady rise to b...
This archived item refers to former French PM Lionel Jospin dies at 88. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/03/2026
French far right claims momentum for presidency after local elections
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally failed to win big target cities such as Marseille, Toulon and Nîmes, but the party still thinks it has the upper hand nationwide.
By CLEA CAULCUTTin Paris
POLITICO illustration.
The far-right National Rally may not have won the string of big target cities it was hoping for in France’s local election on Sunday, but its leaders said they had...
This archived item refers to french far right claims momentum for presidency after local elections. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/03/2026
PARIS — Everyone seems to have something to celebrate after runoffs in municipal elections across France that offer an early glimpse of the trends that will define next year’s presidential election to replace the term-limited Emmanuel Macron.
The far-right National Rally made gains in mid-sized and smaller towns in the French heartland. The beleaguered conservative Les Républicains held on to most of the cities it already controlled and even picked up a few new ones.
Macron’s Ren...
This archived item refers to winners and losers in France’s municipal elections. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/03/2026
Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire wins Paris mayoral race
His win extends the Socialists’ 25-year rule over Paris.
By GIORGIO LEALIin Paris
Illustration by y Natália Delgado/ POLITICO
Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire is on course to become Paris’ next mayor, extending his party’s quarter-century rule of the French capital, according to multiple projections from pollsters.
The left-wing candidate is on track to win 53.1 percent of votes in S...
This archived item refers to socialist Emmanuel Grégoire wins Paris mayoral race . The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/03/2026
TOULOUSE, France — The prospect of the hard-left France Unbowed party taking control of Toulouse, France’s fourth-largest city and home to Europe’s best-known airplane maker, is putting industry on edge.
It’s not just that a win in the second round of local elections Sunday could give the party’s anticapitalist leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a major boost ahead of next year’s presidential election. That’s a concern for later.
The immediate fear is that if France Unbowed makes history here...
This archived item refers to french election: Far-left surge in Airbus’ hometown scares big business. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/03/2026
An employee at French nuclear fuel company Orano has died from meningitis, French health authorities said Friday, adding that there is seemingly “no link” with the ongoing outbreak in the U.K.
The Normandy Regional Health Agency said it received a report of a case of invasive meningococcal disease in La Hague, Normandy, on Thursday, and that the death was announced on Friday. Authorities are currently identifying at-risk contacts, who will be offered antibiotics “as soon as possible.”
...
This archived item refers to france reports meningitis death, says ‘no link’ to UK outbreak. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/03/2026
PARIS — Emmanuel Grégoire looks primed to extend the Socialist Party’s quarter-century rule of Paris in Sunday’s runoff election to lead the French capital, according to a poll shared exclusively with POLITICO.
The survey from Cluster 17 shows Grégoire scoring 48 percent of the vote, seven points clear of conservative challenger Rachida Dati. Sophia Chikirou of the hard-left France Unbowed would come in third with 11 percent.
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This archived item refers to center-left Emmanuel Grégoire tipped to win race for Paris mayor, poll shows. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/03/2026
Avertissement : le sondage dont nous vous dévoilons les résultats est une photo des rapports de forces à un instant T et ne présage pas des possibles évolutions lors des dernières heures de campagne.
PARIS — Après avoir pris l’avantage lors du premier tour, en recueillant 37,98% des voix, Emmanuel Grégoire semble en bonne position pour transformer l’essai dimanche. Le candidat socialiste est crédité de 48% des intentions de vote pour le second tour, en progression de 10 points, dans le so...
This archived item refers to sONDAGE EXCLUSIF. A Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire favori devant Rachida Dati. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/03/2026
NICE, France — The story of the far right’s probable victory in the French Riviera’s capital will probably be remembered largely because of an incident involving a pig’s head.
But the race in Nice is also set to have broader implications ahead of France’s presidential election in 2027, reviving debate over whether the country’s weakened, traditional conservatives could ultimately merge forces with the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen and Jordan...
This archived item refers to showdown on French Riviera reveals the far right’s potential path to power. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/03/2026
PARIS — Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is on track to win reelection as mayor of Le Havre, according to polling shared exclusively with POLITICO.
The survey from Cluster 17 showed Philippe, who is running for French president next year, netting 47 percent of the vote in the runoff on Sunday. His main challenger from the Communist Party, Jean-Paul Lecoq, scored 39 percent in the poll. The far-right National Rally’s Franck Keller came in third with 14 percent.
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This archived item refers to far right’s main rival for French presidency on track to survive electoral scare, poll shows. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/03/2026
Edouard Philippe est en passe de réussir son pari : se faire réélire maire du Havre à 14 mois de la présidentielle. Le président d’Horizons est en effet crédité de 47% des intentions de vote dans un sondage Cluster 17 dévoilé en exclusivité par POLITICO jeudi. L’ancien Premier ministre bénéficie d’une avance de 8 points sur son adversaire principal, Jean-Paul Lecoq, candidat du Parti communiste (39%).
En recueillant 43,76% des voix au premier tour, le maire sortant a déjoué les pronostics...
This archived item refers to sONDAGE EXCLUSIF. Edouard Philippe en piste pour sa réélection au Havre. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/03/2026
CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE, France — In rural Champagne, the National Rally is finding the momentum and enthusiasm it needs to believe that it can win the French presidency in 2027.
The first round of local elections on Sunday delivered mixed results for the far-right party, highlighting how a decisive breakthrough still eludes Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella and their allies in France’s biggest cities.
Despite strong performances in key southern cities like Marseille and Toulon, where the Na...
This archived item refers to french far right’s success in Champagne buoys presidential dream. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/03/2026
Mujtaba Rahman is the head of Eurasia Group’s Europe practice. He posts at @Mij_Europe.
France’s municipal elections were never meant to be a dress rehearsal for its next presidential race. And yet, the first round of voting on March 15 was exactly that, offering a revealing and deeply paradoxical snapshot of a politically fractured country.
At first glance, the results seemed to confirm the prevailing narrative: That Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) remains the dominant f...
This archived item refers to france struggles to find political equilibrium. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/03/2026
LONDON — Green Party Leader Zack Polanski says the British government should freeze energy bills this summer, as high costs caused by conflict in the Middle East threaten to hit families.
In a speech at the left-leaning New Economics Foundation think tank Wednesday, Polanski said ministers should not allow the energy price cap — a limit on the amount homes pay for their energy — to increase when it is recalculated for July.
The government should instead “guarantee right now that it wil...
This archived item refers to polanski’s Greens want universal energy bills bailout for Brits. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/03/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday castigated France’s mainstream political parties for working with “dangerous,” more radical ones after the first round of local elections.
The comments, shared by government spokesperson Maud Bregeon after a Cabinet meeting, are Macron’s first since voters went to the polls Sunday in all of France’s approximately 35,000 municipalities.
“Arrangements between parties should not lead to forgetting certain ...
This archived item refers to macron blasts mainstream parties for working with ‘dangerous’ forces in local elections. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/03/2026
PARIS — Far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon is emerging from this month’s municipal elections as France’s chief political disrupter, building momentum he hopes will turn him into the leading contender against the far right in next year’s presidential race.
The nightmare scenario for France’s beleaguered center left, however, is that Mélenchon would make for a highly divisive presidential candidate, and polling suggests he could ultimately gift a win to the far-right Na...
This archived item refers to enter the disrupter: Far-left Mélenchon seizes momentum in French elections. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/03/2026
BERLIN — France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has floated the idea that Canada could one day join the European Union, using the transatlantic ally as a striking example of the bloc’s global appeal.
Speaking at the Europe 2026 conference in Berlin alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, Barrot argued that the EU is increasingly attracting partners far beyond its borders as geopolitical tensions soar.
“Nine countries are formally candidates to EU accession today. Others m...
This archived item refers to canada could join EU, French foreign minister says. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/03/2026
PARIS — The far-right National Rally had reason to hope this month’s French municipal elections would show it now has an unstoppable momentum before the presidential race in 2027.
After all, the party has been on a steady upward trajectory during this election cycle, with polls showing Jordan Bardella, the party’s president, as the frontrunner ahead of next year’s campaign.
But while its candidates did very well in Sunday’s first round, particularly in important southern ci...
This archived item refers to french far right struggles to deliver its decisive breakthrough. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 16/03/2026
PARIS — Two candidates from the center-right and conservative camps on Monday teamed up for the second round of the mayoral election in Paris to try to break the Socialists’ quarter-century grip on the city.
After the first round on Sunday, the Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire looked on track for victory, winning 38 percent of votes. He is, however, facing a runoff battle on March 22 that could feature as many as four other candidates who passed the 10 percent threshold.
Grégoire was ...
This archived item refers to right-wing candidates unite to try to break Socialists’ 25-year grip on Paris. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 15/03/2026
PARIS — Polls have closed in the first round of elections in France that will see voters across the country’s 35,000-plus communes choose new mayors and city councilors for the first time in six years.
The contests, many of which will require a runoff vote next Sunday, are expected to be an important indicator of voter sentiment heading into next year’s high-stakes presidential election — though plenty of races will be driven by local issues and personalities.
Initial proje...
This archived item refers to french elections: Far right strong in south, Socialist ahead in Paris. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/03/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Lebanon was ready to “engage in direct talks” with Israel, offering to host the two sides in Paris for negotiations.
“The Lebanese government has signaled its willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel,” the French leader said on social media platform X, adding that he had spoken to Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the country’s House Speaker Nabih Berri.
“All component...
This archived item refers to france offers to broker Israel-Lebanon talks. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/03/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Friday that France’s role in the Middle East would remain defensive after a French soldier was killed in a drone attack in Iraq.
“France’s position is purely defensive, in support of its allies, and can in no way justify any attack against it,” Macron said in a press conference standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Paris to discuss support for Kyiv.
Overnight Thursday into Friday,...
This archived item refers to macron: France’s role in Middle East remains ‘purely defensive’ despite soldier’s death. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/03/2026
A French soldier was killed and several others were wounded in an attack on a counterterrorism training exercise in northern Iraq, French President Emmanuel Macron said early Friday.
“Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Chasseurs Alpins Battalion in Varces died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq,” Macron posted on X, confirming the first French fatality of the Middle East war that began with the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran last month.
The Fre...
This archived item refers to french soldier killed, several wounded in Iraq attack, Macron confirms. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/03/2026
PARIS — Voters across France head to the polls Sunday for elections that will offer major clues to next year’s all-important presidential race that the far right is tipped to win.
On the ballot are mayoral and city council candidates for France’s 35,000-plus communes, so it’s not an easy contest to analyze quickly for a sense of national trends.
Hyper-local issues and personalities will play major roles in many of the contests, often more than Europe-wide or national ...
This archived item refers to how to watch French local elections like a pro (Round 1). The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/03/2026
Pas de suspense en vue à Perpignan, ou presque, tant la réélection de Louis Aliot semble le scénario le plus probable, les 15 et 22 mars prochains. Le maire Rassemblement national sortant est crédité de 46% des intentions de vote au premier tour des municipales dans le sondage Cluster 17* dévoilé en exclusivité par POLITICO jeudi. “Il n’est pas loin d’une possible réélection dès le premier tour” qui se tiendra dimanche, constate Jean-Yves Dormagen, président de l’institut.
Les oppositions...
This archived item refers to sONDAGE EXCLUSIF : A Perpignan, battre Louis Aliot semble mission impossible. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/03/2026
PARIS — The campaign to elect the new mayor of Paris is taking a dark turn in its final stretch, as allegations that the outgoing center-left administration failed to act on reports of child abuse in public schools threaten to derail former Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s candidacy.
A bombshell report from French public radio earlier this week alleged that three lawsuits had been filed against a Parisian kindergarten employee for purported rapes against minors.
According to the...
This archived item refers to child abuse allegations rock final days of Paris campaign. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/03/2026
BREST — Ce sont deux cartes qui hantent encore la plupart des élus locaux de gauche en Bretagne. Celle des européennes de 2024 où, pour la première fois, le Rassemblement national est arrivé en tête dans la région (avec 25,58% des voix). Et celle des législatives anticipées, un mois plus tard, où le parti s’est qualifié dans 26 circonscriptions sur les 27 que compte la région.
Un record pour une zone réputée très majoritairement imperméable aux idées du parti fondé par Jean-Marie Le Pen, ...
This archived item refers to en Bretagne, le RN rêve de percer dans les conseils municipaux. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/03/2026
PARIS — Emmanuel Grégoire should have had an easy campaign to succeed his former boss, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
But the pair’s very public political breakup is creating a major obstacle for the Socialist front-runner in the lead-up to the race to lead the French capital, which begins on Sunday.
Since their clash, Grégoire has conspicuously distanced himself from Hidalgo, and that has meant losing the opportunity to win votes by boasting about the successful Paris Olympics or the...
This archived item refers to the poisoned succession battle to rule Paris. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/03/2026
LE HAVRE, France — Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is often seen as the centrist candidate best placed to challenge the far right in France’s presidential election next year — but his political future is under threat in the gritty industrial port of Le Havre.
Philippe, one of President Emmanuel Macron’s most popular former lieutenants, has been mayor of this city in Normandy since 2020, but polling suggests he now faces a make-or-break battle not to lose it to a Communist...
This archived item refers to Édouard Philippe’s presidential ambitions run into trouble in his Normandy base. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/03/2026
LONDON — Zack Polanski was once a Liberal Democrat. Now he’s eating his old party’s lunch.
Britain’s liberal centrists are scrambling to find their voice in Britain’s multi-party system as the self-described “eco-populist” Green Party leader grabs all the attention.
The Liberal Democrats — the third-largest party in the U.K. House of Commons — failed to retain their £500 deposit in last month’s Gorton and Denton by-election in which the Greens convincingly took the Greater Manche...
This archived item refers to polanski’s Greens are beating Liberal Democrats at their own game. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/03/2026
Lecteurs socialistes de Lille, ne sablez pas le champagne tout de suite. Certes, le maire PS de la capitale des Flandres, Arnaud Deslandes, s’affiche en tête du sondage Cluster 17 que POLITICO dévoile ce mardi en exclusivité, avec 26% des intentions de vote au premier tour des municipales qui se tiendra dimanche.
Mais il n’est pas le seul représentant de la gauche à pouvoir sérieusement prétendre au fauteuil de Martine Aubry, qui fut maire pendant 23 ans avant de lui passer les rênes en 2...
This archived item refers to sONDAGE EXCLUSIF. Aux municipales à Lille, avantage PS mais second tour incertain. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/03/2026
PARIS — If Rachida Dati realizes her long-held dream of becoming Paris mayor in the coming days, her victory will represent the culmination of a remarkable journey from her childhood in an impoverished social housing complex to the gilded chambers of City Hall.
The pugnacious former culture minister from the conservative Les Républicains party is running neck-and-neck with the Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire in polls running up to municipal elections on March 15 and 22.
A discipl...
This archived item refers to rachida Dati aims to end Paris’ 25-year run of left-wing mayors. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/03/2026
Mujtaba Rahman is the head of Eurasia Group’s Europe practice. He posts at @Mij_Europe.
Next week’s French municipal elections may be local in scope, but their implications are unmistakably national — and European.
When French voters head to the polls to elect roughly 35,000 mayors across their villages, towns and major cities, they will offer up the clearest indication yet of the country’s political mood ahead of next year’s presidential election, which could both fundamentally reshap...
This archived item refers to france’s municipal elections will be telling for Europe. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/03/2026
PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron said France wants to set up military escorts for container ships and tankers into the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible,” though he cautioned such an operation can’t get underway until the fighting in the Middle East subsides.
The disruption of maritime traffic in the strategic chokepoint, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude passes each day, has sent oil prices skyrocketing in recent days.
Macron said the potential...
This archived item refers to macron wants escorts for container ships and tankers in Strait of Hormuz ASAP. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/03/2026
PARIS — It’s time for Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella to prove they can win big.
The far-right National Rally is under pressure to score a decisive victory in municipal elections across France that begin on Sunday, as the contest is widely seen as test of the anti-immigration party’s electability ahead of the high-stakes presidential race next year...
This archived item refers to le Pen’s far right eyes local elections as launchpad for French presidential bid. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 08/03/2026
Germany’s center-left Greens scraped out a narrow victory in a key vote in Baden-Württemberg on Sunday, according to preliminary results, marking a stinging defeat for the parties in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative -led coalition government.
The outcome in Germany’s third-most populous state — an industrial powerhouse home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche — deals a major blow to Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had maintained a significant lead in the...
This archived item refers to germany’s Greens set to win key state vote in blow to Merz’s coalition. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 05/03/2026
PARIS — Le débat sur FranceInfo entre la plupart des têtes de liste aux municipales à Paris, qui a eu lieu mercredi soir, devrait être le seul et unique moment d’échange télévisuel entre les candidats avant le premier tour. LCI, BFMTV et CNews ont annulé leurs propres débats, a appris POLITICO auprès des équipes de deux candidats.
La raison : la décision de Rachida Dati (LR) de ne participer à aucun débat avant l’entre-deux-tours. Un choix politiquement assumé, mais qui complique la vie d...
This archived item refers to municipales à Paris : LCI, BFMTV et CNews débranchent leurs débats. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 04/03/2026
PARIS — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is no longer the only EU leader confronting U.S. President Donald Trump over the war in Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron is rallying to his side.
Both European leaders are being battered in the domestic political arena, but are increasingly outspoken on the international stage in casting the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran as illegal — something that plays well in two countries where Trump is widely disliked.
Macron is also throwi...
This archived item refers to macron teams up with Sánchez amid escalating clash with Trump. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 04/03/2026
PARIS — Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said France’s European allies must buy French equipment if they want to benefit from the protection of Paris’ nuclear deterrent.
Speaking two days after President Emmanuel Macron announced major changes to France’s nuclear doctrine, including the potential temporary deployment of nuclear-capable fighter jets to European allies, Le Pen said in an interview with RTL radio that she “didn’t see the point” of such a dep...
This archived item refers to europeans need to buy French if they want nuclear protection, says Le Pen. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/03/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began Saturday and killed the country’s supreme leader were conducted “outside of international law” and that Paris “cannot approve of them.”
Though Macron laid the blame for the current conflagration in the Middle East squarely on Iran during an address on national television Tuesday night, his criticisms could land him in hot water with Washington.
Spanish Prime Minister ...
This archived item refers to uS strikes on Iran ‘outside international law,’ says Macron. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/03/2026
Norway is willing to start talks with Paris on how French nuclear weapons can contribute to the continent’s security, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on Tuesday.
“We are ready to discuss this within the framework of a partnership agreement with France. But our nuclear policy remains firm. We will not have nuclear weapons on Norwegian soil in peacetime,” he told the Norwegian parliament .
Oslo’s willingness to start talks is yet another example of how Euro...
This archived item refers to norway ready to start nuclear weapons talks with France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/03/2026
The European Union should not be pressured into admitting new members based on pressure from Russia, the United States or any foreign power, France’s Europe minister told POLITICO.
“No power outside the EU should decide on enlargement in place of the Member States,” said Benjamin Haddad, who represents France at meetings on enlargement with other EU countries.
Haddad’s comments coincide with a push by the European Commission and some EU states to bring Ukraine into the bloc on a much s...
This archived item refers to uS or Russia should not dictate EU’s enlargement timeline, says French minister. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/03/2026
LONDON — The Greens polled ahead of Keir Starmer’s governing Labour Party, in data that will deepen grumbling about the British prime minister’s leadership.
The latest voting intention study from YouGov puts the Greens on 21 percent. They rank second only to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, on 23 percent. Starmer’s Labour Party is now neck-and-neck with the center-right Conservatives in joint third place, on 16 percent.
It is the highest the Greens have ever polled for...
This archived item refers to greens overtake Starmer’s Labour in new UK poll. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/03/2026
France will send anti-missile and anti-drone systems to Cyprus, as the U.S.-Israel-Iran war heightens tensions in the Middle East, two senior Cypriot government officials told POLITICO on Tuesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron — who is also sending a frigate to Cyprus — communicated the intention to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides earlier Tuesday. The French armed forces ministry declined to comment.
Christodoulides also requested that Berlin deploy a frigate during a phone ...
This archived item refers to france sends air defenses to Cyprus as Iran strikes spill over into EU. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/03/2026
La décision d’Ursula von der Leyen de mettre en œuvre provisoirement l’accord commercial entre l’UE et le Mercosur a déclenché une vague d’indignation à Paris.
Elle a aussi montré que la présidente de la Commission européenne est de plus en plus prête à prendre des décisions sans tenir compte de la France dans l’équation, à quatorze mois de la fin du mandat d’Emmanuel Macron à l’Elysée.
Ursula von der Leyen a annoncé vendredi que l’UE allait appliquer provisoirement l’accord commercial...
This archived item refers to en accélérant sur le Mercosur, von der Leyen montre qu’elle pense pouvoir outrepasser la France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/03/2026
ILE LONGUE, France — President Emmanuel Macron today said France would increase the size of its nuclear arsenal — breaking a major taboo in a landmark speech on the country’s atomic doctrine.
“An increase of our arsenal is indispensable,” said Macron, speaking at the Ile Longue naval base that houses the country’s four nuclear submarines.
Macron explained the need for more warheads by pointing to Russia’s war against Ukraine, China’s growing mil...
This archived item refers to macron announces increase of French nuclear warheads. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/03/2026
Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to provisionally implement the EU-Mercosur trade deal has unleashed a wave of outrage in Paris.
It has also shown the European Commission president is increasingly prepared to take decisions without factoring France into the equation, with the end of French President Emmanuel Macron’s term at the Elysée only 14 months away.
Von der Leyen announced Friday that the EU would provisionally implement its trade deal with the South American Mercosur...
This archived item refers to mercosur gamble shows von der Leyen thinks she can go over France’s head. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/03/2026
PARIS — France will bolster its military presence in the Middle East after an Iranian counterattack hit a French naval base in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking ahead of an emergency security and defense council Sunday evening, said France will “strengthen its [military] position and defensive support to stand alongside those with whom we have defense treaties and be able to adapt our stance to the developments of the last few hours.”
Paris said Sa...
This archived item refers to france to bolster military presence in the Middle East. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/02/2026
PARIS — Far-right leader Jordan Bardella pushed back against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make France’s nuclear doctrine more European in an interview Friday.
“What I dispute in this dialogue [with European countries] is that we are wrong to think that deterrence is only nuclear; it is primarily conventional, and here again we have missions in Eastern Europe that must be maintained,” the National Rally’s president told TV news channel LCI, referring t...
This archived item refers to far-right leader Bardella criticizes Macron’s pan-European nuclear push. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/02/2026
PARIS — The European Union should stop raging at Donald Trump and learn its lessons from the U.S. president’s saber-rattling on tariffs, France’s trade minister told POLITICO.
“The European Union, the European countries, should not get angry at America’s positions, but should try to better understand America’s logic — which, by the way, began well before Donald Trump,” Nicolas Forissier said in an interview on Thursday.
Forissier, who said riding a Harley-Davidson motorbike down ...
This archived item refers to eU should learn from Trump’s tariffs not ‘get angry,’ French trade chief says. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/02/2026
LONDON — The Green Party triumphed in the Gorton and Denton by-election Friday to snatch a once-safe Labour seat from Keir Starmer’s governing party.
Hannah Spencer, a plumber and local councillor who pitched a populist cost-of-living message, will be the party’s newest MP having seen off both Labour and Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK. She received 14,980 votes (40.6 percent) — racking up a majority of 4,402, and helping to push Labour into third place less than two...
This archived item refers to left-wing Greens snatch Labour seat in blow for UK’s Starmer. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/02/2026
BERLIN — Germany’s opposition Greens are pressuring Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government to launch an investigation into potential German links to the Epstein files.
The demands come as several other large European countries have set up task forces to investigate ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While the release of the files has shaken politics in the U.K., France and beyond, German politicians and business leaders remain relatively unscathed.
Tha...
This archived item refers to greens push Merz to probe Germany’s possible Epstein links. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/02/2026
PARIS — With only 14 months left in power, President Emmanuel Macron is now in a race against the clock to chart how France can wield the full force of its nuclear arsenal to guarantee Europe’s security more widely.
Much will boil down to whether he makes concrete commitments in a landmark speech on France’s atomic strategy on Monday, to be delivered from the Atlantic peninsula where the country’s nuclear submarines are based.
After decades sheltering under the Americ...
This archived item refers to macron’s last shot to extend France’s nuclear umbrella over Europe. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/02/2026
PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Wednesday she wouldn’t run for the presidency if a court sentences her to wear an ankle bracelet — even if her electoral ban is lifted.
Speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV in her first interview since French prosecutors asked a court to uphold the five-year electoral ban she is currently serving, Le Pen again ruled out several scenarios under which she would run for president. Her defiance makes it increasingly unlikely she will ru...
This archived item refers to france’s Le Pen: I won’t run for president wearing an ankle bracelet. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/02/2026
PARIS — France’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva didn’t call for the resignation of Francesca Albanese, the embattled special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, during a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday, even though Paris had previously pledged to do so.
Several European countries have demanded Albanese step down over comments she made about Israel’s war in Gaza during a televised address earlier this month, during which she mad...
This archived item refers to france abandons plan to demand Albanese resign at UN meeting. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/02/2026
La France et la Suède souhaitent bloquer une proposition de la Commission européenne imposant le partage des coûts des grands travaux de modernisation du réseau électrique de l’UE, affirmant qu’un tel mécanisme leur imposerait une charge financière inéquitable.
Annoncé en décembre dernier, le paquet sur les réseaux européens vise à étendre massivement les infrastructures électriques du continent pour y transporter plus efficacement l’électricité produite à partir de sources d&...
This archived item refers to modernisation des réseaux électriques : la France et la Suède s’opposent au partage des revenus. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/02/2026
PARIS — There is a risk of nuclear proliferation in the world today, according to a French official from the Elysée Palace.
“We are living in a period that is fundamentally conducive to nuclear proliferation,” the official told reporters on Wednesday, adding that pressure was mounting on the international non-proliferation regime.
The comments come ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech on France’s nuclear doctrine, scheduled for March 2. He is ...
This archived item refers to france warns against risk of nuclear proliferation. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/02/2026
KYIV — Ukraine sees a narrow window to secure its future within the EU: between the Hungarian election this April and the French presidential vote in April 2027, according to officials in Brussels and Kyiv.
Kyiv wants to have a reference to EU membership in 2027 written into the peace deal being negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, and it sees the interval between the two key European elections as the best time to join the bloc. The EU is working on a plan that could give Ukraine pa...
This archived item refers to ukraine eyes gap between Hungarian and French elections to secure EU membership. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/02/2026
PARIS — “On fait partie du paysage politique actuel. On fait partie du paysage médiatique actuel. Donc composer sans nous, c’est encore s’exclure d’une partie de la population.” Dans sa dernière vidéo, la créatrice de contenu Farah RK débriefe avec ses abonnés la conférence de presse de La France insoumise, organisée lundi avec une poignée de “nouveaux médias numériques”. Et savoure le moment.
Il faut dire qu’après des années de dénigrement, les créateurs de contenu spécialisés dans la po...
This archived item refers to comment LFI lance les influenceurs dans la présidentielle. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/02/2026
PARIS — A diplomatic spat that threatened to torpedo Franco-American ties came to an abrupt close Tuesday with a phone call between U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner and French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
A French official close to Barrot said Kushner had called the minister and smoothed things over after the ambassador failed to show up for a diplomatic summons on Monday. Kushner was called to present himself after the U.S. government said the death of a 23-year-old far-ri...
This archived item refers to kushner’s phone call cools France-US diplomatic row — for now. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/02/2026
PARIS — La vacance à la tête de Business France vit enfin à son épilogue. Le conseil d’administration de l’agence chargée de l’internationalisation de l’économie française a approuvé mardi, à l’unanimité, l’arrivée prochaine de Louis Margueritte au poste de directeur général, a appris POLITICO.
Cet avis favorable, confirmé par deux sources internes, constitue la dernière étape avant l’officialisation de sa nomination par décret dans les prochains jours.
Choisi par l’exécutif, comme l’a...
This archived item refers to business France : la nomination de Louis Margueritte validée par le conseil d’administration. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/02/2026
PARIS — U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner’s failure to show up after a diplomatic summons will “naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Tuesday.
Barrot said in an interview with FranceInfo that he requested Kushner be barred from meeting members of the French government, but added that the U.S. envoy could resume doing so once he answers the summons.
“When one has the honor of representing one...
This archived item refers to paris says US envoy’s no-show will ‘affect’ role. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/02/2026
PARIS — U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner was a no-show Monday after being summoned over comments on social media about the death of a far-right activist earlier this month, according to a French diplomat.
The diplomat, granted anonymity to adhere to French professional norms, said Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot had in turn requested that Kushner be barred from direct access to members of the French government due to “this apparent misunderstanding of the basic ex...
This archived item refers to uS ambassador to France fails to show up for diplomatic summons. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/02/2026
PARIS — U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner is being summoned by the French government for the second time in six months after the Trump administration commented on the death of a young activist that has roiled France.
Far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23, was killed in Lyon earlier this month on the sidelines of a political conference. The events leading up to the fight that cost Deranque his life remain unclear, but the National Rally has pointed to his killing as proof that the poll-top...
This archived item refers to france summons US ambassador over Trump team’s comments on activist’s death. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/02/2026
PARIS — Enter the bogeyman.
French hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon is facing a torrent of criticism following the death of a far-right activist earlier this month in Lyon — and it’s threatening his party’s electoral ambitions.
Mélenchon and his anticapitalist party France Unbowed have stressed that their movement is nonviolent and pushed back against allegations that they were responsible for the fight that ended with the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque.
But the far-righ...
This archived item refers to forget Le Pen. French politics has a new archvillain.. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/02/2026
PARIS — Emmanuel Macron has picked 33-year-old David Amiel to become France’s new budget minister, the French presidency announced on Sunday — a crucial role as the French government attempts to get its deficit under control amid a deep political crisis.
Amiel replaces Amélie de Montchalin, a close ally of Macron who was appointed as head of France’s top court of auditors earlier this month. The controversial move led to accusations that the French president was politicizing a...
This archived item refers to macron announces pick for new budget minister. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/02/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions imposed last year on a raft of prominent Europeans including former EU tech chief Thierry Breton, arguing the measures were “unjustly imposed.”
“I would like to personally draw your attention to the sanctions imposed by the United States against several European citizens, including two Frenchmen, Nicolas Guillou, judge at the International Criminal Court, and Thierry Breton, former E...
This archived item refers to macron asks Trump to lift sanctions on former EU tech chief Thierry Breton. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/02/2026
PARIS ― Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron have postponed a major Franco-Italian summit that was scheduled for early April in Toulouse, a French diplomat told POLITICO on Saturday.
Meloni asked Macron to postpone the bilateral summit until after the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains June 15-17.
The Italian prime minister made that request on Feb. 12 when the two leaders met at a competitiveness retreat at a Belgian castle in Alden Biesen, the diploma...
This archived item refers to meloni and Macron postpone their first high-level summit. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/02/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Saturday against celebrating too quickly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, noting that Washington has already moved to impose new duties.
“We shouldn’t go too fast,” Macron said at the opening of the Paris International Agricultural show, hours after Trump signed an executive order introducing a “temporary” 10 percent global tariff following the high court’s ruling.
“We will look precisely a...
This archived item refers to macron warns against complacency after Trump revives 10 percent global tariff. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/02/2026
PARIS — France’s far right is framing the death of an activist associated with far-right groups as a moment akin to the murder of Charlie Kirk in the United States.
The National Rally has in recent days started pointing to the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque in Lyon as proof the poll-topping populist party is the victim of an increasingly radical political left, much as the MAGA movement in the United States did following Kirk’s assassination last year.
With key municipal elect...
This archived item refers to french far right looks for Charlie Kirk moment after activist’s killing. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
NEW DELHI — French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have openly disagreed this week on the future of the embattled fighter jet program developed by France, Germany and Spain.
French and German officials have privately said for months that the Future Combat Air System was at a dead end because of disagreements between the project’s main contractors.
Now the rift between Paris and Berlin is increasingly coming out into the open, with Macron arguing Europe sh...
This archived item refers to macron, Merz openly disagree on joint fighter jet program. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
PARIS — A bitter clash erupted Thursday between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron after the killing of a far-right activist in Lyon last weekend.
Meloni’s entourage fired back at Macron after the French president had earlier slammed the Italian leader for saying that the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque was “a wound for the whole of Europe.”
Macron, speaking during a trip to India, suggested that Meloni was unduly i...
This archived item refers to meloni hits back at Macron in spat over killing of French far-right activist. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
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This archived item refers to cEO im Staatsdienst: Wildberger auf KI-Mission in Indien. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
NEW DELHI — French President Emmanuel Macron said the country’s political extremes must “put their houses in order” after the killing of a far-right activist over the weekend.
“There is no space in France for movements that adopt or legitimize violence,” Macron told reporters during a trip to India.
The activist, 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, died after receiving blows to the head during a fight outside a conference featuring left-wing MEP Rima Hassan...
This archived item refers to macron calls on political extremes to clean house after activist’s killing. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said that overconfidence led him astray in some of his decision-making in an interview published Wednesday.
“Each time I was overconfident, I made mistakes, big mistakes,” Macron told online Indian outlet Brut India during his four-day trip to the subcontinent.
Macron did not point to any specific examples during the rare mea culpa, but he has been accused of hubris on several occasions — including after his ill-fated decision to ca...
This archived item refers to macron admits he’s made ‘big mistakes’ when ‘overconfident’. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/02/2026
PARIS — Sarah Knafo is using the electoral race for Paris mayor as a springboard to build her profile as the rising star of France’s anti-immigration, libertarian right.
The 32-year-old firebrand MEP is on track for a significant breakthrough in a city with a traditional aversion to the far right. If she can maintain that level of support — she’s currently polling at 12 percent — Knafo would be the first far-right candidate ever to make the second round in the City of Lights.
The...
This archived item refers to french firebrand Sarah Knafo looks to Paris mayor race for big breakthrough. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/02/2026
NEW DELHI — Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday blasted social media platforms and the tech executives who run them in a fiery dismissal of their claims to be defending free speech.
The French president used a discussion on university partnerships between India and France to flay nontransparent platforms and artificial intelligence systems.
“Some of them claim to be in favor of free speech. We are in favor of free algorithms, totally transparent,” Macron said during his remarks in India. “Fr...
This archived item refers to ‘Pure bullshit’: Macron slams tech giants’ claim they are defending free speech. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/02/2026
Les spéculations sur la direction de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) ont repris de plus belle mercredi après un article du Financial Times révélant que sa présidente actuelle, Christine Lagarde, envisage de quitter son poste avant la fin de son mandat en octobre 2027.
La BCE s’est empressée de couper court aux rumeurs qui pourraient conduire les marchés financiers à considérer que sa patronne serait sur le départ. “La présidente Lagarde est totalement concentrée sur sa mission et n’a ...
This archived item refers to bCE : pourquoi un départ anticipé de Lagarde ferait les affaires de Macron. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/02/2026
PARIS ― American companies operating in France believe President Emmanuel Macron’s years long quest to make his country more business friendly is in danger, a survey found.
The annual study by the American Chamber of Commerce in France found widespread pessimism among executives from the 140 U.S. companies with a footprint in France that were surveyed.
Marc-André Kamel, a partner at Bain & Company and a vice president of AmCham France, said most of the survey’s respon...
This archived item refers to macron’s efforts to make France business friendly ‘wiped out,’ US group says. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/02/2026
Speculation over the leadership of the European Central Bank flared again Wednesday after a report suggesting that its current president Christine Lagarde expects to leave her post before the end of her mandate in October 2027.
The ECB was quick to damp down talk that could lead to financial markets viewing its president as a lame duck. “President Lagarde is totally focused on her mission and has not taken any decision regarding the end of her term,” a spokesperson said.
However, that ...
This archived item refers to macron’s role in Lagarde succession drama grips Europe. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/02/2026
PARIS — The French far right is set for a historic performance in Nice next month.
Polling shared exclusively with POLITICO shows Marine Le Pen ally Eric Ciotti has a massive 10-point lead in the race to be mayor of the unofficial capital of the French Riviera.
French voters’ willingness to grant Le Pen and her allies control of local executives will be an early indicator of how likely they are to put the far-right National Rally in power in France’s 2027 presidential election.
...
This archived item refers to far right on track for major victory in French Riviera, poll shows. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/02/2026
Eric Ciotti a-t-il les moyens de faire chuter le puissant maire sortant de Nice, son “frère ennemi”, Christian Estrosi ?
Oui, à en croire le sondage de l’institut Cluster 17* réalisé en exclusivité pour POLITICO, du 11 au 15 février.
Le président de l’Union des droites pour la République et allié du Rassemblement national atteint en effet 41% des intentions de vote au premier tour des élections municipales des 15 et 22 mars, 10 points devant le vice-président d’Horizons, également sout...
This archived item refers to sONDAGE EXCLUSIF. A Nice, Eric Ciotti 10 points devant le sortant Christian Estrosi . The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/02/2026
PARIS — Emmanuel Macron is racing to put guard rails around a potential far-right president of France.
The French leader is accelerating key personnel appointments and placing loyalists in top positions to cement his influence and prevent the National Rally from executing its populist agenda, according to four French officials and two former officials.
Polls show the far-right party is the front-runner for next year’s presidential election, and Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, ...
This archived item refers to macron pushes to Le Pen-proof France before 2027 election. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 16/02/2026
PARIS — Three-time hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon is facing fire from his political opponents ahead of important municipal elections next month after an activist was beaten to death near a university where a conference featuring one of his most prominent allies was taking place.
The activist, 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, was involved in a fight outside a conference at a university in Lyon, France’s third-largest city, featuring MEP Rima Hassan. Hassan is o...
This archived item refers to likely French presidential candidate Mélenchon under fire after activist beaten to death. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 16/02/2026
BERLIN — Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said France needs to spend more on defense even if it means cutting other kinds of spending.
Wadephul’s comments are likely to fuel ongoing tensions between Berlin and Paris at a time when Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron have openly clashed on everything from trade to common borrowing.
German officials have increasingly criticized Macron for speaking passionately about the need for Europe to achieve strate...
This archived item refers to berlin urges Paris to boost defense spending by cutting other costs. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/02/2026
MUNICH, Germany — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called on Europeans to become stronger — and on the U.S. to show some respect.
“A stronger Europe would be a better friend for its allies,” the French president told a packed hall at the Munich Security Conference. “Europe has to become a geopolitical power. We have to accelerate and deliver all the components of a geopolitical power: defense, technologies and de-risking from all the big powers.”
“I don’t talk about France or...
This archived item refers to france’s Macron hammers message of European strength. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/02/2026
BRUSSELS — Ukraine will need Western troops to enforce any ceasefire with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, but voters in Europe’s two most powerful economies are deeply reluctant to help.
People in France and Germany would rather put a peace deal at risk than commit their military personnel to safeguarding a truce, according to new results from The POLITICO Poll.
The findings, from independent pollster Public First’s survey of more than 10,000 people in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., ...
This archived item refers to french and German voters balk at sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/02/2026
PARIS — The leader of the French conservatives, Bruno Retailleau, announced Thursday that he will run in next year’s presidential election as campaign season gets underway particularly early.
The former interior minister joins what is expected to be a crowded field to replace President Emmanuel Macron, who cannot run because of term limits.
The far-right National Rally is currently ahead in the polls, though whether the party will be represented by the up-and-coming Jordan Bardel...
This archived item refers to french conservative leader Retailleau announces presidential run. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/02/2026
PARIS — As the French presidential election campaign kicks into gear unusually early ahead of the 2027 ballot, the far-right National Rally will be stuck on the sidelines until summer waiting to find out whether their candidate will be Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella.
Clarity on timing emerged Wednesday when a court announced it would deliver a verdict on July 7 in Le Pen’s ongoing appeal of a five-year election ban that knocked her out of the race.
The situation is becoming inc...
This archived item refers to le Pen stuck on French election sidelines until July 7. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/02/2026
BRUSSELS — Rome is again aligning with Berlin by saying that it’s not the time to discuss European joint debt as proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron — even though it’s an idea Italy has pushed for years.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday said while the government broadly agrees on the need for shared borrowing to fund investments in strategic sectors it isn’t worth contemplating while France and Germany were at odds over the matter.“I pr...
This archived item refers to italy aligns with Germany by cooling on Macron’s joint EU debt plan. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/02/2026
BRUSSELS — Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is looking forward to meeting his fellow leaders at a castle in the Belgian countryside on Thursday but not even these relaxed surroundings can quell the EU’s simmering divisions.
The chief agitator this time is French President Emmanuel Macron, who is pushing for a new “Buy European” drive — which would seek to favor the EU’s own companies in areas of strategic importance such as defense, steel and electric vehicles. Macron has tri...
This archived item refers to ‘I don’t always agree with the methods’: Macron’s Buy European push hits Swedish resistance. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in February 2026.