Politics

French party leader says Americans should return Statue of Liberty

‘Apparently you despise it…so she’ll be very happy here with us’

Crackdown law on nuisance cold calls in France backed by MPs

The law was passed unanimously, but there is still some disagreement over proposed exemptions

New poll: How do people in France view relationship with the US?

The study also asked about Ukraine’s President Zelensky, military aid, and joining NATO

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Debate begins on new law to crack down on telemarketing calls in France

If passed, the new bill will aim to require consent even before the first call

Macron’s TV address: Key points on defence, Russia, the US and nuclear capacity

‘We must be ready without or without the US.’ Extra defence spending will not be funded by taxes, says president

Four US consulates in France identified as facing possible closure under Trump

The American administration is cutting back on diplomatic missions across the world, with France seen as a key target for downsizing

Profile: French overseas minister Manuel Valls

The former prime minister and so-called ‘Sarkozy of the Left’, whose shifting allegiances never fail to attract controversy

US media praises 'charmer' Macron over his meeting with Trump

Talks covered War in Ukraine and EU-US relations

Trump tariff row: How much - and what - does the US export to France and vice versa

‘The EU has been very unfair to us,’ says US President Donald Trump

Macron confirms what he wants to say to Trump when he visits US next week

Ukraine, EU and US relations and geopolitical situation are unsurprisingly key topics

French MP complains over lack of foie-gras in parliamentary restaurants

MP from Gers in the south-west told menus have been changed to feature more ‘sustainable’ dishes

French mayor bans showing of British film judging it to be racist

Far-right director is currently serving jail sentence in UK and film is banned in UK

French budget is forced through parliament: how could it impact your finances

Numerous tax increases have been included

French PM plans use of controversial article 49.3 to force through budget – will he be toppled?

A vote of no confidence is set to follow if government tries to pass budget without a vote

Ministers propose people work seven hours unpaid to clear French deficit

The measure would fund the Social security debt, ministers say, but criticism has been strong

New French PM Bayrou wants to retain Pau mayor role – is this possible?

There are strict limits on how many duties MPs and ministers can hold at the same time, but not prime ministers

Half of UK election postal votes - including from France - 'did not count'

Organisation recommends overhaul of voting process for Britons abroad

Law passed to allow France to continue to collect taxes despite lack of 2025 budget

A new budget will still need to be passed at the start of next year. The emergency law does not raise income tax bands as usually happens so these remain frozen at 2024 levels

Which two French prime ministers of the Fifth Republic also served as president?

There have been 26 prime ministers since 1960 and the position is traditionally relatively stable despite the country’s recent political upheaval

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

The veteran politician is currently mayor of Pau and a key Macron ally in parliament

Ministers to debate emergency law so France can continue to collect tax and pay expenses

The text is used to guarantee that public services will continue to function while maintaining the same constraints as in last year’s budget

Airline passenger refunds due as ticket tax rise cancelled by French government fall

Refunds of up to €57 are due for clients who booked flights in early November and up to early December

‘I know people are tempted to blame me’ says Macron amid political chaos

Key points of president's 10-minute TV address. He says he will not step down

Former French PM claims cartes Vitale will not work in January: it is not true

Elisabeth Borne evokes healthcare funding collapse to convince MPs to not vote for the motion de censure

Millions in France at risk of paying more tax due to budget chaos

2024 tax brackets may be maintained with no allowance for inflation unless new measures are passed

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigns after no-confidence vote passes

He will remain in place as a caretaker prime minister until President Macron announces a new government

CHART: Which French prime minister has used controversial article 49.3 the most?

Use of measure by Michel Barnier resulted in two no-confidence motions this week

Translated: The two ‘no confidence’ motions filed against French government

Debate on these is due to start at 16:00 today followed by voting

What happens now the French government has fallen?

Michel Barnier has become the shortest-serving prime minister of the Fifth Republic and who will replace him is far from clear

What next as French government faces motion of no confidence?

Prime Minister Michel Barnier likely to be deposed as both far-right and left bring forward motions, although tensions grow between opposition groups

Euro and French stocks fall as Michel Barnier’s government faces collapse

Far-right lists ‘red lines’ that must be removed from budget to regain its support

Plane tickets, gas boilers, bottled water: French Senate votes for tax increases

It comes after the Assemblée had rejected the government's initial budget

Why and when is the French prime minister at risk of losing his job?

A motion of no confidence seems all but certain to topple Michel Barnier in the coming weeks

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

The controversial leader first took on the role in 2014

French senate votes for increase in taxes on tobacco, gambling and soda

A packet of cigarettes will cost on average €12.70 next year if propositions are included in final budget

Trump and Musk invited to an AI summit in France, says Macron

By the time of the summit, Mr Trump will be President of the United States for the second time, while Mr Musk will likely be part of his administration

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

France’s 2025 budget will ‘probably’ be forced through without vote, says PM

Right-wing MPs rejected taxation section of the budget earlier this week

Right of firms to cold call homes in France under debate

It comes as a poll finds that 97% of people are opposed to the current ‘presumed consent’ system

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

Starmer joins Macron in Paris - this is what they discussed

Increased security measures were high on the agenda

Anger as another area of France decides to return to 90 km/h on many roads

The measure is ‘anti-environmental’ and would worsen road safety, a campaign group says

French parliament approves law to raise taxes on ‘super-dividends’

The tax will apply to companies with €1 billion in sales or more, such as BNP Paribas, Sanofi, LVMH, and Total

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

How does France's public debt compare with the rest of Europe?

The new government has made it a priority to rein in the deficit

UK autumn budget: What changes for Britons in France?

Announcements included 25% charge on pension transfers into EU/EEA 'Qrops' schemes

Heated French budget examination to resume next week

It comes after MPs adjourned after six days of debate at the weekend

Vehicle ‘malus’ increase rejected by French parliament - but could it still come?

Even MPs from the prime minister’s own party called the measure ‘too negative’

Confirmed: France’s minimum wage will increase in November

A 2% rise will see the wage rise above €1,800 per month for the first time

What changes are proposed in the planned new French immigration law?

The interior minister has set out four main proposals for a new 2025 immigration law

Calls for French MP's resignation after being caught buying drugs

Member of far-left party has entered a rehabilitation programme for drug addiction

Comment: Court ban on Marine Le Pen from holding office would anger French voters

Severe punishment for the Rassemblement National's presidential candidate could derail respect for legal and political institutions, says columnist Simon Heffer

Moves to strengthen France’s ‘exit tax’: who would this affect?

Proposal would see tax revert to 2011 status

French MPs reinforce new budget’s tax rises for wealthy

Three-year limit on tax increases removed, paving way for permanent increase

French far-right to present a ‘counter-budget’; what do they want changed?

Rassemblement National wants to put pressure on government over last week’s budget announcement

New immigration bill looms in France: what could it change?

Interior Minister is immigration hardliner known for right-wing views

Tax increases and spending cuts: France's 2025 budget revealed

More vehicles liable for eco penalties, increase in boiler costs, ‘exceptional’ levy on high earners and teacher cuts are among belt-tightening measures

US election: what are the big issues for Americans in France?

Americans in France explain who they will vote for in November

Vote of no confidence against French PM brought by left is widely rejected

The result shows the new government is propped up by far-right, claim left-wing MPs

Former French minister calls for end to 35-hour week - but does it exist?

There are many misconceptions about the world of work in France

Explained: What is a motion de censure in French politics?

And what happens if one passes?

Why is French left bringing motion of no confidence against PM Barnier if it cannot pass?

Far-right could vote in favour and topple newly-appointed government, but has said it will not back today's motion

Pension freeze to affect 14 million people in France: who and why

It is estimated that a six-month delay will save the state more than €4 billion by 2025

Macron impeachment proposal rejected by French parliament

The proposal which accused the president of ‘breaching his responsibilities’ has still been hailed as ‘historic’ by left-wing MPs

President Macron’s approval rating at record low in new French poll

Former PMs Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal and then far-right politicians Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen were highest scoring politicians

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’