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French far right threatens to vote for dissolution ‘if budget cuts spending power’

‘It’s unacceptable to hit businesses and pensioners,’ says RN leader Marine Le Pen

French prosecutors call to make Le Pen ineligible in 2027 election

The sentence depends on if the court agrees, and how it would hand down the ruling if so

Le Pen trial update: far-right leader denounces ‘preconceived ideas’

The head of the Rassemblement National denies charges relating to the misuse of European parliamentary funds. She says the case was wrongly seeing everything as ‘suspect’

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Marine Le Pen: ‘We expect Michel Barnier to act’

‘At least he is aware that immigration is a major problem’, said the head of the Rassemblement National

Will Europe ironically turn out to be Le Pen’s key to the presidency?

The increasingly bizarre, failing nature of the Fifth French Republic is demonstrated by her potential rise, says commentator Nabila Ramdani

‘Marine Le Pen will be the woman to beat in 2027 French election’

As Marine Le Pen is replaced by Jordan Bardella as president of her Rassemblement National party, this does not mean she will be taking a step back, says Simon Heffer

New leader of French far-right party lays out post-Le Pen priorities

Jordan Bardella, 27, has said he will aim to unite all far-right groups in France, but some critics have said he represents the ‘radicalisation’ of the party

France looks to expel all foreigners committing ‘serious offences’

Currently, this can only happen if the criminal arrived in France after the age of 13. The move has been welcomed by Marine Le Pen

France did not vote for political ‘ratatouille’: opposition to Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on political forces to come together to find compromises due to a hung parliament. It has not gone down well

MAP: Which areas of France have elected the 89 new far-right MPs?

The record (and surprise) score of Marine Le Pen’s party means it will form a much larger parliamentary group. Many of the seats were not in traditional RN strongholds

Crazy world of politics as Macron’s challenges move from Right to Left

Richard Ogier explains why France’s newly re-elected president still has an uphill battle trying to navigate the country’s complicated political scene

Le Pen lost but could France really begin a 'nationals first' policy?

Equality is a fundamental pillar of the French Republic and law experts say it would be difficult to discriminate against foreign people in France, but not impossible

What does Le Pen’s strong election result say about France?

Marine Le Pen called the performance a ‘resounding victory’. A French historian disagrees, but admits it poses questions about society and the country’s institutions

French election results and reactions as Macron wins second term

Emmanuel Macron will remain president of France for the next five years. His rival, Marine Le Pen, made big gains on 2017 and commits to remaining in politics

‘France has chosen stability but social unrest a real risk in 2024’

Political analyst Jean Viard says there are always protests two years after every election - and Mr Macron will have to work hard to limit this

Will today’s ‘high-stake’ TV debate really influence French election?

We ask political experts and a linguist for their views on the traditional face-off between second round candidates

EU, health: How have Macron and Le Pen’s policies changed since 2017?

We look through their programmes from five years ago and today to spot the differences

Updated: ‘I’ll leave', 'I'll celebrate' - your views on a Le Pen win

Latest polls have the Rassemblement national presidential hopeful at 47% to Macron’s 53%.

‘Le Pen’s programme remains far-right despite efforts to soften image’

The presidential hopeful’s views on immigration, citizenship, Islam and democracy are all symbolic of a far-right ideology, argue political experts

Le Pen: Is her plan to ban all French wind farms realistic?

The far-right presidential hopeful has pledged instead to build up nuclear production if elected. Why, and how would the plan work?

Marine Le Pen says French headscarf ban ‘no longer main priority’

The once key campaign proposal would now be addressed after other measures such as cutting off Islamist funding, and would reportedly not target regular headscarf wearers

Presidential TV debate and election: the week ahead in France

The France 2 and TF1 debate will take place on Wednesday evening, followed by the second round vote on Sunday

What is Marine Le Pen’s position on the death penalty?

Around 50% of people who took part in a recent poll said they support reinstating the penalty

What happens now in the French election, will there be a TV debate?

We also look at when the country will vote in their next MPs - a step which will determine how easy (or not) it is for the new president to make changes

Le Pen praises Brexit; Macron and allies say she is hiding Frexit plan

The presidential hopeful claims she is no longer interested in France leaving the EU, but appreciates that the UK has been able to escape Brussels’ ‘straightjacket’

'Macron or Le Pen: It's like choosing between the plague or cholera'

We ask Mélenchon supporters about their voting intentions as a poll claims 23% of the left-wing candidate’s supporters now plan to back Le Pen

What is Le Pen’s ‘French nationals first’ policy and is it legal?

The far-right candidate wants to give French citizens priority over foreigners for housing and jobs. She also wants to limit or end social benefits for non-French nationals

French inheritance tax: How Macron and Le Pen plan changes

Both pledge in different ways to make it easier for assets to be donated or passed down to relatives

French election: The chase is on for Mélenchon’s 7.7 million voters

The supporters of the left-wing candidate are now coveted by both Macron and Le Pen ahead of the second round. A poll shows 23% plan to vote Le Pen

Sport stars in France urge voters to stop Marine Le Pen winning

In an open letter Tony Parker, Yannick Noah and almost 50 other athletes say the far-right presidential candidate ‘embodies the opposite of inclusive sporting values’

‘Election has become a question of everyday people versus elites’

What the theme of the final vote will be, why such a poor result for the Left and how the second round is far from predictable… French political analysts have their say

Macron-Le Pen gap, end of tradition: Six key points of French election

The race to win is not the only story this year, with the future of two traditional parties in the balance, a possible record for the Greens and the fate of outsider Zemmour all to be decided

French election: Why abstentions will hit Le Pen and Mélenchon hardest

Several experts predict that this year might break the record for the rate of abstentions, linked to complacency and disillusionment

Former French PM says Le Pen can win, Zemmour makes her look moderate

Former Prime Minister Manuel Valls has warned that ‘populist and contradictory’ Le Pen could win the upcoming election despite ‘having no vision for France’

Marine Le Pen: ‘Putin could become ally to France again’

The far-right presidential candidate said that the ‘great power’ could be an ally ‘against Islamic fundamentalism’

How do people in your French region typically vote and why?

We look at French voting maps for presidential elections dating back to 1965 – and how an area’s soil type may play a part

‘When I am president’: The key policies of final 12 French candidates

We look at the 12 names on the voting slips this April, and what each candidate stands for

Far-right Marine Le Pen launches presidential bid on theme of freedom

'Free trains' for students and young workers outside rush hour, tough rules on immigration and crime, and fighting what she called the ‘dictatorship of the EU’ are among her campaign promises

France regional election 2021 results: Who won and who lost?

The final round of voting happened yesterday. The results show gains for leaders on the centre right and poor results for the far-right and Emmanuel Macron’s LREM party

Le Pen’s immigration referendum pledge: What the latest figures show

The far-right leader said her first act as president would be to hold a referendum on border control, but data shows a sharp drop in immigration from 2019-2020, mainly due to Covid-19