French politics

Europe News

France launches 'massive' law enforcement operation, PM says

Lecornu said nearly 200 investigators would analyse footage from the weekend to identify suspects in the Paris region alone after businesses were destroyed and looted after protests turned violent on Saturday.

19 October 2026

Europe News

Over 6,800 detained as French school protests show no sign of ending

With high schools still blocked in several French cities, student unions are urging protests to merge in a fresh nationwide day of action on Saturday 17 October.

14 October 2026

Europe News

Macron's popularity hits lowest level since 2017, Le Pen losing ground

Some 82% of French people now disapprove of the president. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are weakened by Mediapart's revelations about antisemitic texts attributed to the young RN leader.

11 October 2026

Europe News

Left-wing primary: more than half of registered voters have already voted, say organisers

Some 140,000 voters are choosing between five rivals for the Socialist nomination, hoping to influence France's 2027 presidential election; after a cyberattack, voting now runs until Sunday 6pm.

10 October 2026

Europe News

Macron backs Spain over Ceuta migration crisis and urges firm EU action

Sánchez and Macron back cooperation between Spain and France and call for greater EU unity on migration, economic and geopolitical issues, despite the Spanish Senate's rejection of the bilateral Friendship Treaty.

30 September 2026

Europe News

France's far-right National Rally gains ground in Senate poll

RN presidential candidate Marine Le Pen hailed a "historic victory" after the results were announced.

28 September 2026

World News

Saint Pierre and Miquelon: France’s tiny outpost that relies on Canada

The French archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon relies heavily on Canada for supplies, transport and seafood trade, despite remaining firmly French.

22 September 2026

Europe Today

AfD makes history in Germany, Mladić's funeral tests Serbia's EU bid

The far-right AfD party won the regional elections in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. Meanwhile, the burial of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade today, after the EU warned against any glorification of him, is testing Serbia's EU bid.

7 September 2026

Europe Today

Russia targets Europe, Ceuta crisis deepens, AfD leads in east Germany

Russia is actively targeting Europeans in an effort to divide EU leaders and spread fear among citizens. In Spain, PM Sánchez faces a deepening crisis after thousands of irregular migrants entered Ceuta last month, while in east Germany the far-right AfD party is projected to win a local election.

4 September 2026

Europe Today

EU defence ministers gather amid increased Russia threats

As EU defence ministers meet today amid an escalation of hybrid war attacks in Europe, Europe Today reports on increased threat levels on the continent linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. Plus: a France election preview, and interviews with MEPs Terry Reintke and Juan Fernando López Aguilar.

1 September 2026

Europe Today

Le Pen 'will prove innocence' despite conviction, Leggeri says

Marine Le Pen ally Fabrice Leggeri claims the National Rally presidential candidate will prove her innocence despite an appeals court upholding her conviction for the misuse of millons in EU funds on Tuesday.

8 July 2026

Europe Today

NATO summit opens under Trump pressure to boost defence spending

NATO leaders are gathering for a two-day summit in Ankara under pressure from Trump to increase defence spending. In France, Marine Le Pen will find out today whether she can run for the French presidency next year as a Paris appeals court decides whether to uphold her embezzlement conviction.

7 July 2026

Culture news

Ravers in Marseille fear harsh French crackdown on free parties

In Marseille, France, revellers gathered to celebrate before the final adoption of the law tightening the penalties for ‘unauthorised parties’.

22 April 2026

Europe News

France bids farewell to reformist former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin

Jospin, who introduced the 35-hour workweek and extended free healthcare when he was head of government from 1997 to 2002, died on Sunday, aged 88.

26 March 2026

Europe News

Major cities see close first round results in French local elections

In major cities like Paris, Marseille and Lyon, candidates are set to begin negotiations ahead of a run-off vote following a first round marked by a relatively high abstention rate and some unexpected results.

16 March 2026

Europe News

French voters head to polls for the first round of local elections

While most towns will have elected their mayors by this Sunday night, several major cities could face a fiercely contested second-round run-off next week

15 March 2026