Politicians

French MPs propose quotas for public toilets in towns

‘This is a public health issue for people with illnesses such as Crohn's or diabetes, for the elderly and for children’

Anne Hidalgo will not stand as mayor of Paris for third term in 2026

The controversial leader first took on the role in 2014

How the French feel about Trump's election win - new poll

Survey reveals the French public’s less-than-stellar views of the president-elect, even as some politicians welcome the news

news

French mayor arrested after 70kg of cannabis found at home

20 gold bars and almost a kilo of cocaine were also found in searches, which also took place at the mairie, and the pharmacy where she works

Scooter François Hollande used to visit his lover to be auctioned

The ‘scooter of the scandal’ has a starting price of €10,000

French minister denies plans for income-linked healthcare

The economy minister said comments that well-off people would need to ‘contribute more’ had been misreported

French education minister did not lie - ‘reality proved her wrong’

Statement over her son’s schooling echoes the ‘alternative facts’ phrase from the US Trump administration

Drugs, sex…and a dead cat? Plot thickens in French senator MP case

The senator has denied all charges after an MP claimed she began to feel unwell at his home after drinking a glass of Champagne

Why France’s justice minister is himself on trial

In an unprecedented scenario, the former high-profile lawyer faces charges into ‘illegal conflicts of interest’

More French senators and MPs back plan for second-home owner visas

Lawmakers want to ease red tape for six-month stays by non-EU nationals

Plan for UK Labour leader to meet Macron does not make French press

The meeting is set to protect ‘the strategic nature’ of the French-British relationship and address questions over Brexit and defence, it is claimed

Six key points to note from French Prime Minister’s recent interview

Fuel aid, taxes, medical fees and tackling crime were among the topics covered by Elisabeth Borne

France must significantly reduce immigration, says Macron

There must be better protection with non-EU borders, said the president in an interview published yesterday (August 23)

French MP hits out at attention after Le Pen, 94, hospitalised

A junior minister said the focus on the former far-right leader’s health was ‘uncomfortable’

French politics: Why the hung parliament could be a big opportunity

Politicians are going to have to find a way forward and, in so doing, they might be able to reinvigorate democracy, argues writer Nick Inman

Macron among French politicians to pay respect after South Korea crush

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has also tweeted condolences after it emerged that more than 150 people have been killed in a Halloween crush in Seoul

New advisor to President Macron worked for Blair and Murdochs

Frédéric Michel has a colourful and varied history as an advisor to the former UK PM, as a lobbyist for Rupert Murdoch, and co-founder with James Murdoch of a global investment fund

First round of legislative elections takes place in France today

The results for the voting of 577 MPs are set to start emerging from 20:00 tonight (June 12). We explain some key facts on how it works

Lost glasses, Mr Lockdown: Memorable moments of French PM Jean Castex

The outgoing head of government has been praised by colleagues for a job well done. We look back at some of the funny, regrettable and notable points of his time in the role

Comment: Why don’t the French like the presidents they elect?

Most French presidents only survive one five year term before they are voted out, with two notable exceptions

Licences, speed: What French president candidates are offering drivers

From opposing views on low-emission zones, aid for electric car purchases, and investment in public transport, we look at the candidates’ latest pledges

French presidential election: Which candidate does your mayor support?

You can check which of the final 12 candidates they backed with an online tool

French linguist uses AI to show what Macron has in common with Blair

How artificial intelligence software predicted what President Macron would say in his first re-election speech and his surprising inspiration

Meet Eric Zemmour, not the politician but a hairdresser in Nice

Vive la frange (long live the fringe) is his new slogan after he came unexpectedly into the spotlight when his homonym decided to run for presidency

‘Why the ‘great replacement’ theory does not make sense in France’

The term, which refers to a conspiracy theory that claims white people are being replaced, was recently used by one of France’s presidential candidates, but does not hold up, a French statistician says

Christiane Taubira wins the French left’s citizen vote: what now?

Leading law professor says the Primaire populaire online opinion poll initiative is an interesting new model for politics

French political parties: What killed off the Left and can it recover?

We ask three French experts why France’s Left has all but disappeared - with one saying it was failing to support the new drivers of society, such as ecology

French education minister shows he is ‘out of touch’ with Ibiza trip

‘If he had chosen to spend the weekend in Clermont-Ferrand, he would not have had such a problem’

Why the Covid vaccine pass bill may be delayed (again) in France

The government had originally hoped to have the measure in place by tomorrow

Why Emmanuel Macron has often talked about ‘pissing people off’

The French president attracted much attention - including internationally - when he used the words this week about unvaccinated people but it was not the first time

French musicians rebrand as politicians in bid to bypass Covid rules

Artists jokily recalls themselves after it was confirmed that political meetings are not subject to capacity limits

Which party is the ‘Opposition’ in current French politics?

Your question, answered: Who and what party is the political “Opposition” in France? It is obvious in the UK, but I am confused as to how it works here. G.D.

Former French Interior Minister jailed for unpaid debts to the state

Claude Guéant was originally sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay considerable damages in 2017 but has been unable to keep up with the payments due

Français de souche and more expressions inspired by France

Seven of France’s most prominent politicians attended the ‘Made in France’ trade fair this weekend. We look at phrases related to being French and the language.

Far right polemicist Éric Zemmour’s use of Queen gun photo condemned

French gun federation says he was wrong to tweet a photo of Queen firing a clamped rifle at a gun range after he pointed a gun directly at journalists during a trade fair

Key points of Macron’s multi-billion euro investment plan for France

The plan comes in the context of working to boost the economy after the Covid crisis

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

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier announces French presidential bid

The 70-year-old, whose policies would include ‘limiting and taking control over immigration’, joins several other candidates in the centre-right field

Macron to Covid anti-vaxxers: Freedom relies on reciprocal duty

The French president was responding to protests against the health pass and vaccination, and said that ‘freedom where one owes nothing to anyone else’ does not exist

Health pass, vaccination: Key points of anti-Covid law passed by MPs

The controversial bill was debated throughout the night until 06:00 today and was passed with 1,200 amendments. It will be now be examined in the Senate and expected to pass into law by next week

France Covid: Delta ‘dominant within days’, new measures under review

Ministers are to meet on Monday to discuss the worsening health situation and whether new Covid rules and restrictions are needed

Marine Le Pen reelected head of RN and restates presidential plans

The far-right leader won the election with more than 98% of the vote, and used her party conference to reaffirm her goal to become French president in 2022

Concern as Covid vaccination rate for first jabs drops in France

Ministers say the country must ‘do better’ and urge people to book appointments as soon as possible, as the Delta variant continues to spread

Thousands march across France against rise of ‘the far right’

The Marche des Libertés took place in 140 towns across the country, in denunciation of what organisers called ‘attacks on freedom’

Macron face slap: Why did the attacker shout ‘Montjoie Saint Denis’?

We explain where the phrase comes from and what is known about the attacker so far

Churchill's grandson: A love of France 'runs in our family'

Sir Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, talks about his family’s long and abiding ‘love affair’ with France

France's corruption problem: Why Sarkozy trial is just the beginning

We need further cases like the one against the former French president to root out corruption in other high places, says anti-corruption association

Covid France: No end set for curfew despite MP calls

MPs have called on the government to set an end date to restrictions but ministers have said a relaxation of the rules is unlikely amid the ongoing crisis and spread of new variants

‘Idiotic’: Brazil hits back at President Macron soya comment

Mr Macron said that Brazilian soya was from the ‘destroyed forest’ of Brazil, but Brazilian leaders have denounced the comment as an ‘idiotic political game’

Covid France: Extended curfew expected but schools stay open

The government met earlier today to discuss measures to slow the spread of the UK variant. Any new rules are expected to be announced by the prime minister tomorrow

Covid UK variant in France: Ministers to discuss new rules

The government is to discuss extending curfew nationally or even a full new lockdown as the ‘worrying’ UK variant continues to spread

Member of Paris council refuses €50,000 salary

The elected official, who is also a lawyer, said he already earns enough money

'Green vaccine passport' proposed by French MP

Idea would allow holders to show they had had the vaccination and resume a normal life, said the MP during a debate into the details of France’s Covid vaccination strategy

France’s 5,000 Covid case target: What if it is not reached?

Current lockdown measures are still expected to lift on December 15 but experts are considering possible outcomes if the 5,000 case target is not reached

France remembers former President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing

French politicians have been paying tribute to Mr Giscard d’Estaing who died from Covid-19 yesterday

Flu jab shortage continues in France as stocks drop further

France is still reporting a shortage in flu vaccination doses, with many priority people still on lengthy waiting lists as the government struggles to meet demand

France: Bars and restaurants may not open before January 15

Hospitality sites may not be permitted to reopen until next year, as ‘non-essential’ shops and religious sites wait to find out if they will be able to reopen from December 1

France lockdown: Prime Minister to speak tomorrow

Jean Castex will speak (November 12) at a press conference. His message will be mainly "informative," a government source told a news agency

Minister calls for French police to get tough on lockdown

The interior minister says there has been a “recurrent lack of respect” for confinement in some areas

France to extend state of health emergency amid record cases

The vote was passed 71-35 and will now go to the Senate, as the country reports another record number of cases in 24 hours

France curfew: More details on plans to fight ‘second wave’

As 54 departments are set to impose curfews from this weekend, the government’s anti-Covid plans also include €115m for the culture sector

Too many users impact launch of new French Covid app

France’s new contact tracing app was relaunched yesterday (October 22)

France wants to extend state of health emergency to February

The government proposal will be considered this weekend, as €2.4billion is announced to support hospitals in fighting rising Covid cases.

Religious cartoons planned as France honours Samuel Paty

A booklet is to be distributed in lycées as the country pays homage to the teacher murdered by an Islamic extremist

French Muslim leaders pay respects to murdered teacher

Muslim leaders are among many to pay tribute to Samuel Paty, a history and geography teacher killed in France last week

Simon Heffer: Could French President Macron be derailed?

In Simon Heffer's monthly column, he talks of the downfall of the Macron regime, and what, in his opinion, has got the President to this point of possible derailment.

Nice may become 10th city to impose curfew

The Covid-19 situation is deteriorating, local authorities have said, with a curfew from 21:00-06:00 becoming increasingly likely

Covid-19 France: Montpellier and Toulouse on ‘max alert’

Local prefectures took the decision after sharp rises in Covid cases and hospitalisations, while politicians call for more social distancing in private spaces.

France confirms €1,000 grant for second-hand electric cars

The new grant is available to all, has no conditions attached and is for use with second-hand cars - in contrast to previous grants.

Covid-19 France: More cities on ‘max alert’ amid new rules

Health Minister Olivier Véran and Economy Minister Bruno le Maire confirmed stricter rules for more cities, extended aid for stricken businesses, and issued a warning before the Toussaint holidays.

Storm Alex: More dead and missing in France as impact grows

At least 20 people are missing, at least three have died, and villages in southeast France are still without water or electricity, as the €1billion-plus devastation wreaked by Storm Alex continues to emerge.

French MPs hit out against proposed legalisation of cannabis

A group of 80 MPs in France have hit out against recent political arguments for the legalisation of cannabis, saying that there is no such thing as a “soft drug”.

Videos: Impact of Storm Alex devastation emerges in France

The full extent of the damage wreaked by Storm Alex in France is emerging, as one person is confirmed dead, 18 people still missing, and hundreds of homes destroyed, after a year’s worth of rain fell in 10 hours.

French Senate elections: What do the results mean?

The results of the French senate elections were revealed yesterday (September 27). We explain what happened and what the results mean.

Anger in Marseille as bars and restaurants ordered to close

Elected officials denounce the “shock” decision to close bars and restaurants in Marseille, saying the health minister failed to consult local politicians or consider existing local measures.