Politico Europe
• 05/06/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday invited Ukraine’s allies to attend France’s Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on July 14.
Speaking on the margins of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, Macron said the so-called Coalition of the Willing nations would discuss support for Ukraine and attend France’s annual military parade.
Led by France and the U.K., the Coalition of the Willing is a loose alliance of over 30 countries aiming to provide Ukrai...
This archived item refers to macron invites club of Ukraine allies to attend Bastille Day. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 05/06/2026
PARIS — The EU’s transparency watchdog has accused the Commission of maladministration after failing to keep a text message from French President Emmanuel Macron to Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU executive, urging a freeze in talks on a major trade deal with Latin America.
Macron’s text message in early 2024, exclusively reported by POLITICO, sought to halt talks on the trade accord with the Mercosur bloc within sight of the finish line. The deal was only approved at the be...
This archived item refers to eU watchdog says von der Leyen should have kept Macron’s Mercosur text message. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 05/06/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is considering one of the grandest displays of French statecraft in his diplomatic arsenal: a private dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Palace of Versailles.
The Elysée Palace is preparing a dinner for two in the opulent residence of the Sun King Louis XIV to coincide with the summit of the Group of Seven leading economies later this month, according to two French officials familiar with the preparations.
The big idea would be to pl...
This archived item refers to macron weighs his options for wooing Trump at G7: Dinner at Versailles, or maybe golf. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 05/06/2026
TIVAT, Montenegro — French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join a group of EU leaders at a summit on Friday, as capitals try to find consensus on how far, and how fast, the process of bringing new members into the bloc should go.
They are taking part in talks in the small Balkan nation of Montenegro at the annual EU-Western Balkans summit, as Brussels accelerates efforts to advance membership for countries seeking to join the bloc. No new member has bee...
This archived item refers to macron and Merz head to Montenegro as EU races to secure its next frontier. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 04/06/2026
EU candidate countries should be able to gradually unlock privileges such as partial access to the bloc’s single market to keep them motivated while they wait for full membership, Paris and Berlin have suggested in a new joint paper.
In the discussion paper, circulated ahead of a Western Balkans summit and seen by POLITICO, aspiring EU members could also win observer status at key meetings, as well as other perks, to avoid disenchantment with the process.
The idea would be to bri...
This archived item refers to paris and Berlin pitch ‘gradual integration’ for EU hopefuls amid frustration in Western Balkans. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/06/2026
Denmark’s caretaker Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen unveiled her third coalition government on Wednesday, putting an end to two months of political blockage following last March’s national election.
After spending the past seven years governing with center-right parties, the Danish Social Democrat opted to form a left-leaning coalition with the insurgent Green Left party, the Social Liberals and The Moderates.
Her cabinet’s 21 ministers include familiar faces like fo...
This archived item refers to denmark’s Frederiksen unveils new left-leaning cabinet. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/06/2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend a Group of Seven summit later this month in France, according to three officials aware of plans to invite the wartime leader.
Zelenskyy is expected to join heads of state and government from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, said the officials who were granted anonymity to speak freely about preparations for the gathering.
The Ukrainian leader plan...
This archived item refers to ukraine’s Zelenskyy set to attend G7 summit in France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/06/2026
BRUSSELS — Move over, Google. Qwant is taking over as the European Parliament’s default search engine.
Starting Thursday, the European Parliament will replace Google with the French search engine as the default search tool on in-house computers, according to an internal communication seen by POLITICO.
As of Thursday June 4, “Qwant will replace Google as default search engine on European Parliament computers,” officials told lawmakers in an email seen by POLITICO. The change...
This archived item refers to european Parliament ditches Google for French search firm over privacy concerns. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/06/2026
PARIS — France’s military needs more weapons and arms production has to get faster, warned the country’s top general Fabien Mandon.
“We have not yet reached the level needed to fully address the challenges ahead,” Mandon said of the size of the French military in a closed-door Senate meeting, according to newly released readouts.
The chief of defense staff met senators in April and in May and during the hearings — which are normally closed to the public —he...
This archived item refers to france’s top general warns about too-small military and slow production. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 01/06/2026
PARIS — France has banned Israel from participating in Eurosatory, one of the world’s largest arms shows that kicks off later this month, the Israeli government announced on Monday.
“The French decision encompasses: a ban on government representatives attending the exhibition; a ban on opening an Israeli national pavilion; and a restriction limiting Israeli defense industries to displaying air defense products only, with offensive systems explicitly excluded,” the I...
This archived item refers to france bans Israel from major weapons show. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 01/06/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Deezer
Avec la 9e édition du sommet “Choose France” au château de Versailles, Emmanuel Macron démarre une tournée d’adieux qui ne dit pas son nom. Le compte à rebours a commencé : il quittera l’Ely...
This archived item refers to la “saison des dernières fois” pour Emmanuel Macron. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 01/06/2026
French authorities on Monday confirmed the country’s Navy intercepted and seized a Russian oil tanker sailing under a false flag.
The Tagor, which departed from the Russian port of Murmansk, was boarded more than 400 nautical miles off France’s Atlantic coast on Sunday. French officials suspect the ship was flying a false flag and is part of the so-called shadow fleet of mostly aging oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions imposed after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukrain...
This archived item refers to france seizes Russian suspected shadow fleet vessel. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in June 2026.
Politico Europe
• 29/05/2026
PARIS — European countries should buy French warplanes instead of U.S. ones to benefit from France’s new nuclear deterrent initiative, far-right leader Jordan Bardella said on Thursday evening.
“Before asking France to extend its nuclear umbrella, our European partners must stop buying [American-made] F-35s and start buying Rafales instead,” he told French broadcaster LCI.
Despite making that demand, he did underline that France should stick with the nuclear d...
This archived item refers to bardella: European countries should buy French warplanes to join nuclear club. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 29/05/2026
Right-wing mogul ignites culture war in French cinema
But French filmmakers are not ready to cut ties with controversial Vincent Bolloré.
By GIORGIO LEALIin PARIS
Photo-Illustration by Natália Delgado/ POLITICO
There’s a tradition at the Cannes film festival: when the lights go down, the audience claps and cheers when the logos of their favorite producers and distributors appear.
This year, there was a twist. Almost every time the logo of Canal+, ...
This archived item refers to right-wing mogul ignites culture war in French cinema. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 28/05/2026
French lawmakers on Thursday voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir, a colonial-era law that classified enslaved people as property, in a landmark reckoning with one of the darkest pillars of France’s imperial past.
Although France abolished slavery in 1848, the 17th-century text itself was never formally struck from the books until Thursday’s vote.
All of the 254 lawmakers present in the National Assembly backed the repeal in a rare display of cross-party unity. The bill was ...
This archived item refers to france repeals colonial-era ‘Code Noir’. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/05/2026
Norway is joining France’s plans to cooperate more closely with European countries on nuclear deterrence, the two countries’ leaders announced on Wednesday.
The addition of Norway, which is traditionally very close to the United States, to the initiative is yet another example of how European countries are rethinking their security strategies in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine and concerns about the Trump administration’s reliability.
“Along with nine oth...
This archived item refers to norway joins France’s nuclear deterrence club. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/05/2026
PARIS — A new poll shows far-right leader Jordan Bardella of the National Rally is on course to win the French presidency in 2027, but also suggests a surge in support for far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon that could upend the race.
According to the poll from Odoxa, published Tuesday, Bardella would beat the conservative candidate and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent in the second round of the race for the Élysée.
But the bigger questio...
This archived item refers to french poll sees far-right Bardella winning, far-left Mélenchon surging in 2027 election. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/05/2026
BERLIN — Ukraine’s top negotiator Rustem Umerov arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for talks, amid Russia’s warning to foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv due to planned airstrikes.
Two people familiar with the meeting, granted anonymity to speak freely about the sensitive discussions, told POLITICO that Umerov would meet the national security advisers of the E3 group of Germany, France and the U.K.
A spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to comment, citing a &#...
This archived item refers to zelenskyy’s top negotiator flies to Berlin for talks with Germany, France, UK. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 26/05/2026
PARIS — When it comes to the economy, France’s far-right National Rally party has an identity crisis — and its adversaries see an opportunity to go on the attack.
The contradictory messaging over how to handle France Inc. is being starkly exposed through its two potential candidates for next year’s presidential election, which the party is on track to win.
If you listen to the slick Jordan Bardella, the far right appears to be appealing to big business, free market liberals...
This archived item refers to the French far right’s weak spot: Economic incoherence. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/05/2026
France on Saturday banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory following his treatment of activists detained while attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
“As of this day, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from accessing French territory,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced in a social media post. “This decision follows his unacceptable actions toward French and European citizens aboard the Global Sumud flo...
This archived item refers to france bans Israel’s Ben-Gvir from entry. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 23/05/2026
French border police agreed to scale back biometric checks at the U.K. border on Saturday after port authorities in Dover requested measures to ease passenger delays.
At the start of a hot bank holiday weekend, lengthy queues formed at the Dover facility due to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), in what port authorities described as a “challenging situation” that prompted an “active escalation” with the French authorities.
“We are pleased that Police Aux Frontieres (PAF)...
This archived item refers to france scales down border checks at Dover port amid chaotic delays. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/05/2026
PARIS — Voilà les poids lourds de la mode française soulagés, bien loin de leur colère de cet hiver, quand, au plus fort des négociations sur le budget, Bercy avait supprimé la subvention de l’Institut français de la mode (IFM) pour faire des économies. Six mois plus tard, la direction de l’IFM a appris que l’école touchera finalement la moitié de sa subvention, soit près d’un million d’euros. “Nous avons été nombreux à hurler”, glisse un représentant de la filière, ravi du rétropédalag...
This archived item refers to comment Brigitte Macron a sauvé un million d’euros pour l’Institut français de la mode. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/05/2026
Francesca Albanese, the Italian lawyer serving as the United Nations special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, has been removed from the U.S. sanctions blacklist after a federal court intervened against the Trump administration’s decision.
A notice from the U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the sanctions were lifted after Albanese had spent months effectively cut off from the U.S. financial system following penalties imposed earlier this year.
The reversal comes one week af...
This archived item refers to uS lifts sanctions on UN expert Francesca Albanese. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/05/2026
PARIS — France’s interior minister vowed the country will take “legal action” after a government agency said it had uncovered evidence that an Israeli firm ran a disinformation campaign aimed at pro-Palestinian candidates during municipal elections in March.
Anne-Sophie Dhiver, the deputy head of Viginum — France’s agency for fighting online disinformation — told lawmakers Wednesday that “a private company based in Israel that specializes in selling online destabilization servic...
This archived item refers to french authorities probe Israeli firm’s alleged interference in local elections . The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/05/2026
STRASBOURG ― The co-chair of the Greens group in the European Parliament, Bas Eickhout, announced he will step down as an MEP with immediate effect after acknowledging he had “relationships” that weren’t appropriate for his position.
“I have critically reflected on my own actions in the past period,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. “I have not always done the right thing in the past. I had relationships that did not fit with my role. I should not h...
This archived item refers to greens chief Bas Eickhout quits EU Parliament after acknowledging ‘relationships’. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/05/2026
PARIS — Dominique de Villepin, a former French prime minister expected to run in next year’s presidential election, is being investigated over gifts he received while serving as foreign minister, the country’s top financial prosecutor said Wednesday.
“A preliminary investigation … into charges of receiving stolen property, embezzlement of public funds and all related offenses” has been opened, the prosecutor, Pascal Prache, said in a statement.
According to Prache, the inve...
This archived item refers to french presidential hopeful de Villepin probed over gifts received as foreign minister. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/05/2026
PARIS ― French President Emmanuel Macron’s pick to lead the Bank of France, Emmanuel Moulin, was confirmed by lawmakers Wednesday despite a concerted effort to torpedo his candidacy.
Moulin’s opponents failed to marshal enough votes to meet the three-fifths threshold to successfully veto his nomination, but the 57-year-old hardly breezed through the process.
Fifty-eight lawmakers from the National Assembly and Senate finance committee...
This archived item refers to lawmakers confirm Macron’s pick to lead Bank of France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/05/2026
PARIS — French prosecutors on Tuesday ordered a probe into 2027 presidential candidate Edouard Philippe over allegations of embezzlement.
France’s National Financial Authority opened an investigation into the allegations that Philippe, in his role as mayor and head of the Le Havre regional authority, favored a non-profit organization run by an ally to oversee projects linked to the city’s digital hub. According to a statement from France’s financial prosecutor Pascal Pr...
This archived item refers to french presidential candidate Philippe faces embezzlement probe. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 19/05/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Sky News
...
This archived item refers to how can Starmer’s cabinet look each other in the eye?. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/05/2026
Edouard Philippe tilts right to combat far right in French presidential race
France’s former PM is popular, but he faces numerous challenges to prevent Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella from winning the Élysée.
By CLEA CAULCUTTin REIMS, France
Photo-illustration by Júlia Vadler/POLITICO via Getty Images
Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe believes it’s France’s mainstream conservative voters who will propel him to the presi...
This archived item refers to edouard Philippe tilts right to combat far right in French presidential race. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 16/05/2026
The Holy See announced Saturday that Pope Leo XIV will travel to France Sept. 25-28 for an official state visit, which marks the first formal trip by the Vatican leader in almost two decades.
The visit comes “in response to the invitation extended by the Head of State and ecclesiastical authorities of the country, and by the Director General of UNESCO,” where the pontiff will visit the UNESCO headquarters based in Paris, according to a statement from the Vatican’s press ...
This archived item refers to pope Leo to visit France in September. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 15/05/2026
BERLIN — Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has picked a French AI firm over the U.S. security giant Palantir, in a push to make Europe less reliant on American tech, according to German media reports.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, known as the BfV, plans to use ChapsVision’s ArgonOS software to sift through structured and unstructured data and prepare it for human analysts, according to a report by the media outlets WDR, NDR, and SZ.
BfV Presiden...
This archived item refers to germany’s spy agency picks French AI firm over Palantir. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 15/05/2026
Welcome to Declassified, a weekly humor column.
What can you buy for €25,420? Not now, of course, when that’s the average cost of the weekly shopping if you include a few extra tins of food and some toilet paper for the “hantavirus protection bunker.”
But in 2024, that kind of money went a lot further. It could get you, for example, the scooter that, almost a decade earlier, whisked French ex-President François Hollande to trysts with his then-lover (and now wife) Jul...
This archived item refers to the rise and fall of French presidents’ love lives. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/05/2026
PARIS — Team Brigitte is slapping back against allegations her relationship isn’t perfect.
A person close to the First Lady, granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, told POLITICO that Brigitte Macron “has categorically denied” allegations that her dust-up with her husband last year caught on camera was due to revelations of his purported relationship with an actress.
The claim was made in a new book about the pair, “An (almost) perfect couple,” by Paris Match journalist...
This archived item refers to macron allies deny Brigitte slapped French president over texts with Iranian actress. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/05/2026
Europe’s disease agency chief said EU cooperation on hantavirus had been “very, very strong” after the French Prime Minister called on ministers to work closer together in their response.
“There were meetings every day” between countries and technical experts since the outbreak was reported May 2, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, told reporters today. It was an example of “good European teamwork,” she added.
There have bee...
This archived item refers to disease agency defends ‘European teamwork’ on hantavirus after French jibe. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/05/2026
PARIS — It’s all kicking off between the French far right and the country’s biggest football star.
A day after top striker Kylian Mbappé defended his decision to wade into the messy world of French politics in a Vanity Fair profile, the far-right National Rally leaders Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen trolled Les Bleus’ captain on social media.
Le Pen and Bardella, both front-runners for next year’s presidential election, were quick to note that the year after Mbappé...
This archived item refers to french far right to Kylian Mbappé: Shut up and dribble … better. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 13/05/2026
Jordan Bardella’s next dream: A Franco-German reset
National Rally heavyweights cite the Merz-Meloni working relationship as proof that they, too, can work with Berlin.
By MARION SOLLETTY and SARAH PAILLOUin Paris
Photo-Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO
Jordan Bardella wants to break through Germany’s far-right firewall.
As he prepares for a potential run for the presidency in 2027, the 30-year-old leader of France’s far-right Nationa...
This archived item refers to jordan Bardella’s next dream: A Franco-German reset. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/05/2026
PARIS — French MEP and presidential hopeful Raphaël Glucksmann’s attempt to shed his elitist image is at risk after an internal campaign document recommended limiting efforts to court working-class voters.
The memo, branded “confidential” but seen by POLITICO, aims to identify potential voter bases for Glucksmann ahead of his likely bid to replace term-limited President Emmanuel Macron. The 46-year-old European lawmaker is expected to soon join the crowded field of candidates in next year...
This archived item refers to secret memo advises French center-left MEP to avoid poor voters in presidential run. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/05/2026
PARIS — French far-right leader Jordan Bardella said Tuesday he is ready to partner with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on issues ranging from cutting red tape and green rules to migration.
“I see common ground with Chancellor Merz on the issue of reducing bureaucracy and the need to build a competitive Europe,” said Bardella in an interview with German newspaper FAZ.
“I also agree with the Chancellor on migration policy,” he added, referencing Germany’s recent extension of temporar...
This archived item refers to bardella sees ‘common ground’ with German chancellor. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 12/05/2026
PARIS — French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked his government to boost cooperation and coordination with other EU countries “immediately” to prevent further spread of hantavirus.
Lecornu said improved international coordination is “essential” to stop the virus from spreading after an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius and called to “strengthen cooperation with neighboring states and to push for closer coordination of the health protocols in place within the European Union a...
This archived item refers to french PM calls for ‘closer coordination’ with EU countries on hantavirus. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/05/2026
France has imposed strict measures to prevent further spread of hantavirus after one of the five passengers who returned from an infected ship tested positive.
The passengers, plus anyone who has been in contact with them or others with “a serious risk of infection” can be subject to up to 42 days’ isolation, according to a decree passed today.
The French national tested positive for hantavirus today after being evacuated Sunday from the virus-stricken cruise ship at ...
This archived item refers to france enforces strict measures after citizen tests positive for hantavirus. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 11/05/2026
Dial M for Marine: The far right’s crusade against French cinema
French filmmakers fear a National Rally victory in next year’s presidential election will bring seismic changes to their industry.
By GIORGIO LEALIin PARIS
Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO
Not even the scariest slasher films frighten French filmmakers as much as the prospect of a President Marine Le Pen or President Jordan Bardella.
As the Cannes film festival begins T...
This archived item refers to the far right’s crusade against French cinema. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/05/2026
REIMS, France — France’s center-right former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe on Sunday launched his campaign for next year’s presidential election, in which he is the leading contender to stop the far-right National Rally.
At a rally in the northeastern city of Reims in Champagne country, he unveiled his electoral team, his campaign calendar and party priorities.
Promising his campaign would map out a “massively optimistic” vision for France, Philipp...
This archived item refers to former PM Philippe launches presidential campaign to take on far right in France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 07/05/2026
PARIS — The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into alleged misappropriation of EU funds linked to media training sessions for National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, according to an official from the far-right party.
The probe follows a complaint filed by the AC!! Anti-Corruption organization last December. The National Rally official denied the allegations against Bardella.
“The ‘media training’ services were delivered by [a] supp...
This archived item refers to eU prosecutors open probe into Bardella’s media training sessions. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 06/05/2026
PARIS — France’s flagship aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Wednesday, heading closer to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.
Paris is looking to accelerate a Franco-British initiative launched in April, which gathered 51 countries in an effort to reopen navigation through the strategic chokepoint. About 20 percent of the world’s crude passes the strait each day; maritime traffic has been mostly halted since the U.S. and Israel lau...
This archived item refers to french aircraft carrier crosses Suez as Paris eyes Hormuz mission. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 06/05/2026
A French container ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring several crew members, amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s on-and-off guarantee of escorting commercial vessels through the critical waterway.
French shipping giant CMA CGM confirmed to POLITICO that its vessel, the San Antonio, was targeted, as a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has frayed in recent days.
“The CMA CGM Group confirms that one of its vessels … was the target of an attack yesterday while...
This archived item refers to french container ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 06/05/2026
PARIS — French hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon is trying to use his head start in the race for president to outflank his left-wing rivals.
Since announcing his bid on Sunday, the 74-year-old anticapitalist and his allies from his party, France Unbowed, have flooded the airwaves and social media with a simple pitch for what will likely be his final bid for the Elysée.
“We have a team, a plan and only one candidate,” Mélenchon, who came a whisker away from advancing to th...
This archived item refers to mélenchon threatens to smother moderate rivals with early French presidential bid. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 05/05/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has officially put forward his former chief of staff, Emmanuel Moulin, as the next governor of the Bank of France, but the far right and far left quickly lashed out at the nomination.
Macron’s office formalized the proposal, previously reported by POLITICO, in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the day after Moulin left his job at the Elysée. Moulin, who also previously served as chief of staff under former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire ...
This archived item refers to french opposition slams Macron’s nominee for central bank top job. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/05/2026
PARIS — Jean-Luc Mélenchon announced his fourth run for French president on Sunday, becoming one of the highest-profile candidates to formally join the race to replace term-limited Emmanuel Macron next year.
“Yes, I am a candidate,” the 74-year-old leftist said in an interview with French broadcaster TF1, describing himself as best suited to face “an agitated season in global history” — pointing to geopolitical, economic and environmental risks.
Mélenchon, who quit the center-left Soci...
This archived item refers to left-wing Mélenchon announces 2027 run for French presidency. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in May 2026.
Politico Europe
• 30/04/2026
NICOSIA — France and Spain have teamed up in a bid to reserve space for European companies in an upcoming spectrum auction for mobile satellite communications, effectively pushing out U.S. players.
The move comes as Brussels and EU capitals are mulling restrictions on non-EU players in a vast array of technologies from cloud computing to software, and grappling with the bloc’s reliance on U.S. and China-made tools.
In 2009 the European Commission issued licenses for the 2 GHz spectrum ...
This archived item refers to france and Spain want space reserved for EU firms in satellite frequencies. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 30/04/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed ambassador to Australia Pierre-André Imbert as his new chief of staff. He will succeed Emmanuel Moulin, who is now free to run for governor of the Bank of France.
The move, first reported by POLITICO on Tuesday, was formalized Thursday in France’s official journal. Before serving as French envoy to Australia, Imbert was social affairs adviser to Macron between 2017 and 2020 and deputy chief of staff until 2023, when he left for ...
This archived item refers to macron appoints new chief of staff as ex-aide eyes Bank of France job. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 29/04/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Heute ist der große Haushaltstag im Kabinett. Finanzminister Lars Kli...
This archived item refers to ein Reformkabinett ohne echte Reform. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 28/04/2026
STRASBOURG — Stop blaming Brussels bureaucrats for your own red tape.
That was the European Commission’s message to national governments Tuesday as it unveiled plans for an overhaul of its rules governing … rule-making.
When EU countries add on extra requirements to the bloc’s rules, it “creates barriers, raises costs and fragments the single market,” said Valdis Dombrovskis, the European commissioner in charge of economic matters. He was presenting the Co...
This archived item refers to eU Commission: Blame Berlin and Paris for red tape, not us . The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 27/04/2026
PARIS — French far-right presidential front-runner Jordan Bardella said his first trip as president would be to Brussels, promising a confrontation with the European Commission over what he describes as excessive German influence in EU institutions.
“Our first trip will be to Brussels, where we will defend our country’s interests in order to regain the comparative advantages that other European countries are already enjoying,” Bardella told hard-right Sunday newspaper Le...
This archived item refers to france’s Bardella vows showdown over German influence in the EU. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/04/2026
ATHENS — French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday vowed to assist each other in case of security threats as they boosted bilateral defense cooperation.
As Macron visited Athens, the two governments signed nine bilateral deals, including the extension of an overarching defense pact that will be automatically renewed when it expires in five years.
“In this partnership, there is a mutual support and assistance clause in case of armed ...
This archived item refers to paris and Athens exchange mutual defense pledges amid geopolitical turmoil. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/04/2026
ATHENS — French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday both called for spreading out the repayment of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan and for more EU debt to finance the bloc’s investment priorities.
“We got indebted during Covid. Today some tell us that we need to reimburse fast. It is idiotic,” Macron said during a press conference at the Maximos mansion in Athens alongside Mitsotakis. “Let’s extend tha...
This archived item refers to france and Greece call for delaying Covid debt repayment and for more EU bonds. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 25/04/2026
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are quickly becoming an economic and political force, accruing multibillion-dollar valuations and drawing support from key officials in the Trump administration.
But backlash to the platforms is spreading — in Washington and in state capitals — with accusations of insider trading dogging several midterm election campaigns and accompanying White House military action in Venezuela and Iran and dogging several midterm election campaigns.
Fault...
This archived item refers to from Iran to Paris weather: Alleged prediction market violations start stacking up. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/04/2026
Europeans have to step up and defend their own interests because the U.S., China and Russia are now all “dead against” them, French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday.
“We should not underestimate that this is a unique moment where a U.S. president, a Russian president, a Chinese president are dead against the Europeans. So, this is the right moment for us to wake up,” Macron said in a discussion with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis organized by the Kathimerini newspaper ...
This archived item refers to europeans must recognize US, China and Russia are ‘dead against’ us, says Macron. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/04/2026
PARIS — France removed climate change from the agenda of this week’s G7 talks to prevent a rift with the United States, according to a French government official.
Environment ministers from the G7 nations are meeting in Paris Thursday and Friday to discuss issues ranging from biodiversity to water resources.
But the French hosts deliberately avoided putting global warming on the agenda to appease the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, who has dismissed climate c...
This archived item refers to france drops climate from G7 environment talks to appease Trump administration. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 24/04/2026
NICOSIA — France and Germany will take more time to try to break the deadlock on a joint fighter jet project.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the contentious project over coffee on the terrace at the Landmark Hotel in Nicosia, before joining other EU leaders at an informal summit.
“We have had a good discussion this morning with Mr. Chancellor and we have tasked our defense ministries to work on several axes, on different topics, no...
This archived item refers to france and Germany give themselves more time on joint fighter jet (once again). The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/04/2026
PARIS — French utility giant Engie’s Chief Executive Catherine MacGregor has lambasted the far-right National Rally party’s energy platform as “bad for France.”
“We cannot let these ideas that are bad for France, for the energy security of the country, for renewables … crystalize and take shape,” she said to an association of French business journalists Tuesday.
That damning assessment came after meeting with National Rally leader Marine Le Pe...
This archived item refers to top French utility executive on Le Pen’s energy plan: ‘Oh my God, we have a problem’. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/04/2026
PARIS — Emmanuel Macron a annoncé jeudi 16 avril devant un parterre de maires à l’Elysée que le gouvernement allait présenter “un projet de loi et des mesures réglementaires pour améliorer la protection de nos élections contre les ingérences étrangères”. “L’annonce a surpris l’administration”, note un haut fonctionnaire qui a découvert ce PJL en même temps que les édiles.
Matignon, sollicité par POLITICO, nous a renvoyé vers le service presse de l’Elysée, qui assure que le sujet é...
This archived item refers to emmanuel Macron veut une loi sur les ingérences étrangères avant 2027. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 22/04/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Sky News
...
This archived item refers to keir’s cabinet: Who’s left on the barricades. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/04/2026
PARIS — France is putting €6 billion of spending on hold this year because of the economic fallout of the war in the Middle East.
“In the current phase we cannot turn a blind eye to the war nor the debt,” Budget Minister David Amiel told reporters after a meeting with key ministers and lawmakers. “Faced with the €6 billion cost of the crisis, we anticipate €6 billion of spending that could be stopped.”
Amiel said that extra tax revenue coming from higher fuel prices had already dropp...
This archived item refers to france freezes €6B spending this year because of Middle East crisis. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 21/04/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
In dieser Woche fällt die Entscheidung über die Zukunft von FCAS. Das...
This archived item refers to merz, Macron und das Scheitern eines Rüstungsprojekts. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/04/2026
PARIS — France’s former Prime Minister and presidential hopeful Gabriel Attal said he had rekindled his relationship with EU industry chief Stéphane Séjourné, raising ethical questions ahead of next year’s election.
Speaking in an interview on French TF1 television Sunday, Attal said it was “love at first sight” between him and Séjourné, but an affection that started “young” and was fraught with “trials and separations.”
Th...
This archived item refers to questions loom over EU commissioner’s romantic relationship with French presidential hopeful. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/04/2026
French and Polish leaders discussed holding joint exercises on Monday as part of a French-led effort to include allies in its nuclear deterrent.
“Among the things we will consider there will be exchanges of information, joint exercises,” French President Emmanuel Macron said at a news conference in the Polish port city of Gdańsk when asked about France working with Poland on nuclear issues.
France is the European Union’s only nuclear power. Earlier this year Macron a...
This archived item refers to tusk and Macron discuss joint nuclear exercises. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 20/04/2026
PARIS — French conservative leader Bruno Retailleau has been endorsed by members of his party, Les Républicains, to run in next year’s already crowded race to succeed President Emmanuel Macron.
Retailleau, who had already declared his intention to run in the presidential election, won his party’s official backing after members were internally surveyed to determine whether they preferred to hold a primary to select a candidate, or back Les Républicains’ leader outright. M...
This archived item refers to french conservative leader Retailleau gets party backing for presidential bid. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 18/04/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday announced the death of a French soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, blaming the Hezbollah militant group and demanding Beirut immediately arrest those responsible.
“Chief Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban fell this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL,” Macron wrote on X Saturday afternoon. “Three of his brothers-in-arms ar...
This archived item refers to french peacekeeper killed by Hezbollah in Lebanon, Macron says. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/04/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Kanzler Friedrich Merz reist heute nach Paris. Im Gepäck das Thema ei...
This archived item refers to merz gegen Macron – Streit um die Straße von Hormus. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 17/04/2026
Listen on
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Election night in Hungary was an emotional and teary one … but ...
This archived item refers to what Orbán’s ouster means for MAGA, Le Pen and Brussels. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 16/04/2026
PARIS — A Franco-German rift is emerging over whether to try to involve the U.S. in tentative European plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a leaders’ summit in Paris on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting talks with leaders of “non-belligerent countries” to plan a “strictly defensive” mission to secure the crucial waterway once the fighting stops, according to a statement from the president’s office. A French presidency o...
This archived item refers to france, Germany split on potential US role in European plans to help secure Hormuz. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/04/2026
PARIS — The French presidency refused to let investigators enter the Elysée Palace on Tuesday as part of a probe into contracts linked to memorial ceremonies, invoking the immunity enjoyed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The investigators that presented themselves at the Elysée Palace weren’t granted entry, according to a French presidency official who was granted anonymity for protocol reasons.
“Investigators … were told that the documents pertaining to Élysée P...
This archived item refers to french police barred from raiding Macron’s palace to investigate Panthéon contracts. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/04/2026
French authorities want to stop Kanye West from performing at the Marseille Vélodrome, escalating pressure on the American artist after a string of antisemitic controversies in recent years.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez is “very determined” to stop the concert and is exploring “every possibility” to prevent it from going ahead, a ministry spokesperson told POLITICO on Tuesday.
French daily Le Monde reported that Nuñez has raised the issue with regional and local leaders, including P...
This archived item refers to french interior minister wants to stop Kanye West concert. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/04/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-host a videoconference Friday to map out a plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz, their offices said.
The two leaders are to lead talks on forming a “multilateral and purely defensive mission” that would help “restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when the security conditions allow it,” the Elysée Palace said in a statement.
The statement said that “non-...
This archived item refers to france and UK to co-host talks on securing Strait of Hormuz. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/04/2026
PARIS — The French government won’t rush to pass a bill that would have allowed businesses such as bakeries, flower shops and butchers to stay open on May 1.
Lawmakers from the conservative Les Républicains and French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party last week tried to effectively fast-track the measure through the parliamentary process in the hopes of getting the legislation passed by this year’s Labor Day holiday.
But Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who...
This archived item refers to france won’t fast-track plan to keep shops open on Labor Day. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 14/04/2026
Digitalminister Karsten Wildberger warnt vor einem unkritischen Einsatz von ChatGPT und ähnlichen KI-Systemen, insbesondere bei sensiblen Anwendungen wie psychologischer Beratung.
„Wenn man das nicht richtig macht, auch nicht richtige Vorgaben macht, kann das sehr gefährlich sein“, sagt Wildberger dem Pro-Newsletter Technologie & KI. Seine Aussagen sind auch in der aktuellen Folge des Podcasts Power & Policy zu hören.
Gerade bei komplexen oder sensiblen Themen sieht der Minist...
This archived item refers to wildberger: Einsatz von KI-Systemen wie ChatGPT teils „sehr gefährlich“. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/04/2026
PARIS — En France, on n’a pas de pétrole, on n’a plus de budget, mais on a des idées… C’est en tout cas ce que Sébastien Lecornu a tenté de prouver vendredi soir depuis le perron de Matignon en présentant plusieurs mesures phares du prochain plan d’électrification du gouvernement. Parmi elles, une nouvelle saison du leasing social de véhicules électriques et un fléchage des aides vers l’électrification des logements.
L’élaboration du plan d’électrification, annoncé mi-février, a d’a...
This archived item refers to electrification : Sébastien Lecornu présente des mesures, sans surprises. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 10/04/2026
PARIS — Marine Le Pen dined with LVMH chief Bernard Arnault and other influential French corporate leaders on Tuesday, a meeting that offers another indication her far-right party, the National Rally, has become a mainstream movement that is no longer ostracized by the business community.
TotalEnergies Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné and several other leaders of companies listed on the CAC40, France’s main stock index, also attended, according to a senior National Rally offici...
This archived item refers to le Pen met France’s richest man and other major CEOs at secret dinner. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/04/2026
PARIS — French MEP Rima Hassan has been cleared of wrongdoing after being accused of carrying illegal drugs, according to a statement from her party and the Paris prosecutor’s office.
“Scientific analyses have found no traces of synthetic drugs in the items seized from Rima Hassan,” the hard-left political party to which she belongs, France Unbowed, said in a statement Thursday.
Hassan, a member of The Left group in the European Parliament, was taken into police custo...
This archived item refers to paris prosecutors drop drug probe against French MEP Rima Hassan. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/04/2026
PARIS — The front-runner to become France’s next president appears to be off the market.
Photos taken by French gossip magazine Paris Match seem to confirm the long-standing rumor that far-right leader Jordan Bardella is dating Italian royal heiress Maria Carolina de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles.
It’s unclear to what extent the couple were involved in the front-page splash, after photos showed Bardella, 30, holding hands with the 22-year-old heiress as they walked alone in the ...
This archived item refers to gossip mag confirms Bardella’s romance with Maria Carolina de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/04/2026
PARIS — Hungary’s talks with Russian officials about sanctions were “a betrayal of the solidarity that is required among members of the European Union,” France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in an interview Thursday.
Late last month, Hungary’s top diplomat Péter Szijjártó admitted he had spoken with Russian officials “on sanctions-related matters” as the EU considered new economic measures targeting Moscow.
Szijjártó’s admissi...
This archived item refers to hungary betrayed EU by revealing sanctions talk to Russia, says French top diplomat. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 09/04/2026
PARIS — 9 juillet 2021 : assis en terrasse, à Venise, avec Bruno Le Maire, en marge d’un G20 des ministres des Finances, Larry Fink laisse entendre à son interlocuteur français que la “finance verte” n’est pas suffisamment rentable à son goût. Voilà un an seulement que le tout puissant patron du numéro 1 mondial de la gestion d’actifs BlackRock a pourtant accepté de participer à “l’alliance mondiale des sociétés de gestion oeuvrant à la neutralité carbone”.
Le ministre de l’Economie, sid...
This archived item refers to bruno Le Maire prêt pour le match… en librairies. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 08/04/2026
PARIS — French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan has filed a complaint after details of her arrest were leaked to the media while she was in custody last week.
Hassan, a member of The Left group in the European Parliament, was taken into police custody after posting a quote on X by far-left Japanese militant Kōzō Okamoto, who was convicted of a terrorist attack that killed 26 people in Israel in 1972.
The MEP, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, has placed ...
This archived item refers to french MEP Rima Hassan files lawsuit over leaks following arrest. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 08/04/2026
PARIS — The French government presented its updated military planning law Wednesday that earmarks an extra €36 billion for defense by 2030.
“The goal is for our armed forces to be capable of facing a potential major deployment within a timeframe that no one can predict,” French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin told reporters. “There will be additional orders of all types of munitions,” she added.
The bill allocates an overall €63.3 billion for defense in...
This archived item refers to france aims to spend €76.3B on defense in 2030. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 08/04/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron said it is vital that the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran also extends to Israel’s strikes against Lebanon.
“The situation is critical” in Lebanon, Macron warned Wednesday ahead of a meeting of the French defense council. “What we have witnessed with Israel’s strikes and occupation of southern Lebanon isn’t the right response,” he said.
Israel has repeatedly struck Lebanon after an attack by the Iranian-affiliated Hezbollah grou...
This archived item refers to macron insists that Iran ceasefire must apply to Lebanon as well. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 08/04/2026
PARIS — Les émissions françaises de gaz à effet de serre ont diminué d’1,5% en 2025 par rapport à 2024, évalue le Citepa dans son baromètre annuel paru ce mercredi. La France est loin de la trajectoire qu’elle s’est fixée : pour respecter ses objectifs climatiques et espérer contenir le réchauffement climatique, les émissions devraient baisser de 4% par an entre 2024 et 2028.
Ces nouveaux chiffres confirment que la décarbonation patine. Après une forte diminution des gaz à effet de serre ...
This archived item refers to climat : les émissions de CO2 diminuent mais la France s’éloigne encore de ses objectifs. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 07/04/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said two French nationals who had been detained in Iran for years left the country just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump’s impending deadline for Tehran to cut a deal with the United States or face civilizational erasure.
Cécile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, spent more than three years behind bars in Iran after being convicted of espionage, charges Paris has long said were spurious. The duo, both teachers, were released in Novemb...
This archived item refers to french hostages in Iran head home ahead of Trump ultimatum. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 04/04/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration and disappointment with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer — and is pondering making additional changes to his Cabinet.
“He’s very angry and he’s going to be moving people,” an administration official familiar with the dynamics told POLITICO. That official and three other people with knowledge of Trump’s thinking around his Cabinet were granted anonymity to discuss the unresolved personnel issues....
This archived item refers to trump weighs more Cabinet changes after Bondi ouster. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/04/2026
PARIS — As Emmanuel Macron enters the final year of his presidency, aides are beginning to abandon ship.
A wave of departures is sweeping through the ranks of his staff, raising concerns about cohesion at the Elysée Palace and deepening the end-of-reign mood there, with only a year to go until voters head to the polls to choose France’s next president.
With Macron ineligible for a third consecutive term and unable push his legislative agenda through a gridlocked parliament, staff...
This archived item refers to macron’s inner circle starts heading for the exit. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 03/04/2026
PARIS — France will expand missile and drone stocks by up to 400 percent by 2030, according to a draft military planning law seen by POLITICO.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have exposed how quickly munitions are consumed in high-intensity warfare. Now, Paris is earmarking billions of euros to boost existing stockpiles and replace air-defense missiles its air force has fired in the Gulf to fend off Iranian drone attacks.
“The urgent need, of course, is for...
This archived item refers to france plans huge missile increase in new defense push, document shows. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/04/2026
PARIS — As he headed into the office on a stormy Wednesday morning last week, French customs official Yann Favennec was expecting the day to be good — but stressful.
Favennec, the 47-year-old chef de projet of Lille’s bid to host a new EU customs authority, gathered his four-person team at 8:30 a.m. in their office on the outskirts of Paris. With coffee and croissants on their desks and vote simulators on a big screen, they hunkered down to follow the nine-way contest.
Top-level l...
This archived item refers to the inside story of how France clinched the EU’s new customs authority. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/04/2026
PARIS — French MEP Rima Hassan from the hard-left France Unbowed party was put under police custody in Paris on Thursday, her office told POLITICO.
Hassan is being questioned and temporarily held as part of an investigation into “apology for terrorism” for a social media post she wrote last week expressing solidarity with Japanese terrorist Kōzō Okamoto, according to reports first published by Le Parisien.
Okamoto was convicted of a terrorist attack that killed 26 people at...
This archived item refers to mEP Rima Hassan placed in French police custody over suspicion of apology for terrorism. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/04/2026
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said U.S. President Donald Trump is weakening NATO by publicly undermining the alliance and sowing doubt about Washington’s commitment to the transatlantic partnership.
“Alliances like NATO are valuable because of the things we don’t say, because of the trust behind it,” Macron told reporters Thursday during an official visit to South Korea. “If you create doubts every day about your commitment, you empty [NATO] of its...
This archived item refers to macron: Trump is weakening NATO. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/04/2026
PARIS — Deep fissures in the French Socialist Party that hamstrung the movement during recent municipal elections now threaten to derail its hopes of winning the presidency in 2027.
The once-powerful faction is grappling with an identity crisis similar to that gripping left-of-center parties across Europe. But the warring blocs in Paris can’t even agree on the process of choosing a presidential candidate for next year, let alone who should run in a contest that, for now, the far right is ...
This archived item refers to feuding French Socialists leave presidential prospects in disarray. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 02/04/2026
France is advising Bahrain on a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore global energy flows, according to three diplomats informed of the process.
The draft resolution — currently being discussed by France, the United States and Gulf countries in New York — would seek the Security Council’s backing for an operation to “restore international peace and security” under Chapter 7 of the...
This archived item refers to france advising Bahrain on UN resolution to open Strait of Hormuz. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in April 2026.
Politico Europe
• 31/03/2026
PARIS — The National Rally is hitting out at U.S. President Donald Trump, the French government and large oil companies for variously causing and profiting from soaring energy prices due to the war in the Middle East.
The far-right party has pushed for lower taxes on gas and urgent market controls to shield consumers from the spiraling crisis, doubling down on its cost-of-living platform that has made it the front-runner for next year’s presidential election under Marine Le Pen̵...
This archived item refers to le Pen hammers Trump as Iran war triggers spiraling energy crisis. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 31/03/2026
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has condemned the removal of EU flags from town halls by far-right mayors, calling it a “betrayal.”
Several newly elected mayors from the anti-immigration, EU-skeptic National Rally party have taken down EU flags from government buildings in recent days following last week’s municipal elections, in which the far right won 55 new municipal mandates.
Barrot responded on X on Tuesday: “This is a betrayal of who we are. The European Union is somethi...
This archived item refers to removing EU flags is ‘betrayal,’ French minister tells far-right mayors. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 31/03/2026
Israel will stop all defense procurement from France, as it accuses Paris of a hostile stance toward it.
Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. Amir Baram made the announcement on Channel 12 News Tuesday, adding the decision was part of a broader effort to reduce cooperation with countries that take steps against Israel. Baram said the government would instead rely on the local defense industry and suppliers in “friendly” countries.
The practical impa...
This archived item refers to israel to halt arms purchases from France. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.
Politico Europe
• 30/03/2026
PARIS — The Chinese captain of a suspected shadow fleet tanker was sentenced in absentia to one year in prison by a French court on Monday.
The case underscores Paris and other European capitals’ mounting efforts to crack down on Russia’s covert network of mostly aging oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zhangjie Chen, 39, was convicted of failing to comply with authorities after French special forces boarded the Boracay, a vessel...
This archived item refers to france sentences tanker captain as EU countries crack down on Russian shadow fleet. The source originates from Politico Europe and was published in March 2026.