French election 2017
France kick-starts ‘grand national debate’ to calm yellow vest protesters
From 15 January to 15 March France will hold what President Emmanuel Macron has termed the "great national debate", a public consultation to discuss the "essential questions" facing the nation after nearly two months of violent so-called yellow vest protests.
Macron loses out in polls as Le Pen surges forward
France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party has overtaken President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist LREM in the latest poll of voting intentions ahead of the 2019 European Elections.
How France successfully countered Russian interference during the presidential election
After the Brexit referendum and Trump’s election in 2016, the French presidential campaign in 2017 was also affected by Russian interference. However, unlike the US and the UK, France managed to maintain its democratic integrity. EURACTIV.fr reports.
How the National Front burnt its fingers with a fabricated video
A former campaign director from the far-right National Front party openly admitted on Twitter that he circulated a fabricated video during the French presidential campaign. EURACTIV.com looks into the story as part of the ‘Fact or Fake’ series, in partnership with France 24.
A national list for European elections gains momentum in France
All the political families consulted by the French presidency seem to favour a national list to replace regional ballots for the 2019 European elections, with the exception of some centre-right deputies. EURACTIV France reports.
Veteran French MEP Alain Lamassoure quits party
Alain Lamassoure, leader of the right-wing 'Les Républicains' delegation in the European Parliament, announced his resignation from the party on Tuesday evening (24 October), citing “a painful race to the most conservative right” after the party decided to exclude the Prime minister, Edouard Philippe, from its ranks.
Macron sinks teeth into EU taboos in forward-looking speech
Treaty change, agricultural policy and debt: French President Emmanuel Macron attacked a number of previously untouchable EU taboos during a speech focused on reform, sharing ambitious proposals for Europe's future with university students. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron loses his three most Europhile ministers
Three of Emmanuel Macron’s ministers have resigned to protect the government from a potential scandal over the employment of assistants in the European Parliament. The former ALDE group MEPs anchored Macron’s government firmly on the European stage. EURATIV France reports.
Macron prepares for first EU summit as a free political agent
Right, left or centre? In preparation for his first EU summit as president of France, Emmanuel Macron has chosen not to throw his lot in with any political family. He has his own strategy and expectations are high all round. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron shows the ‘Juncker dilemma’ does not exist
Europe needs serious reform if it is to avoid being turned into a mere museum for rich Chinese tourists. But it is clearly possible to be both European and succeed in the global economy, writes MEP Gunnar Hökmark.
Macron’s Defence Minister, Syvie Goulard, resigns
France’s Defence Minister Sylvie Goulard resigned on Tuesday (20 June). The former MEP wanted to demonstrate her willingness to cooperate with an investigation into her party’s employment of assistants in the European Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Could proportional representation work for France?
France is mulling the introduction of proportional representation for its next legislative election. It could take inspiration from its European neighbours, all of which – bar the United Kingdom – use a version of PR. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
France set to enter world top ten for parliamentary gender balance
Currently 63rd in the global ranking, France could rise to second place in Europe for gender balance in parliament after the second round of the legislative election this Sunday (18 June). The first-round collapse of the traditional parties has cleared unprecedented space for female candidates. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s pro-EU party set for sweeping victory in French parliamentary election
President Emmanuel Macron's fledgling party is set to trounce France's traditional main parties in a parliamentary election and secure a huge majority to push through his pro-business reforms, projections after the first round showed on Sunday (11 June).
All is not well in Europe, it’s time to stand up for it
Pulse of Europe? Do we need it? In the end, the French elections went OK: Marine Le Pen lost and pro-European President Emmanuel Macron won. So that’s that… Well, maybe it's not that simple, warns Utta Tuttlies.
Ukraine, Russia and propaganda: Macron sets his red lines at Versailles
The presidents of France and Russia met at Versailles yesterday (29 May) in an attempt to inject some life into bilateral relations. An uncompromising Emmanuel Macron heavily criticised Russia’s propaganda outlets, Sputnik and Russia Today. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s party seen winning majority in French legislative elections
French President Emmanuel Macron's party is set to win as much as a third of the vote in legislative elections next month, giving it a solid majority, two polls showed on Wednesday (24 May).
Polls suggest parliamentary majority within reach for Macron
A parliamentary majority looks to be within reach for centrist French President Emmanuel Macron in next month's parliamentary election, opinion polls indicated yesterday (18 May), as his cross-partisan government held its first meeting.
Tweets of the Week: Eurovision, Macron’s cabinet, and LGBTI rights
It’s EUTweets! Your weekly round up from the Brussels Bubble Twitterati.
Tusk heads to Paris for first meeting with Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron will meet EU Council President Donald Tusk in Paris today (17 May), the new leader's office said.
Cédric Villani: ‘Germany is aware of how much it owes Macron’
Emmanuel Macron’s election victory has allayed German fears of Frexit. This should help to oil the wheels of cooperation between the EU’s power couple, Cédric Villani said in an interview with EURACTIV France.
Macron, Merkel vow new momentum for Europe
France's new President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday (15 May) vowed to give a new impetus to Europe, even if it requires treaty change, after Macron appointed a prime minister from the conservative camp.
Macron takes over as president, promising to relaunch the EU
Emmanuel Macron became France's youngest ever president yesterday (14 May), promising at his inauguration to restore the country's lost confidence and relaunch the flagging European Union.