About: Benoit Hamon
Fractured French Socialists seek new identity after election disaster
After the Socialist Party's dismal showing in the first round of France's parliamentary election, an advert appeared on a property website offering the HQ of the party for sale "due to poor election results".
Jadot: ‘Macron and Le Pen are like Clinton and Trump’
Green presidential candidate Yannick Jadot has called for his supporters to back Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the French election this Sunday (7 May). But the former banker's "technocratic" vision of Europe is unconvincing, Jadot told EURACTIV France.
EU a peripheral issue for some French voters
The future of the European Union has been at the heart of the French presidential debate. But for some voters it remained a peripheral issue. EURACTIV France reports.
Historic French election upheaval sets up second round clash over EU
The first round of France’s presidential election on Sunday (23 April) saw the traditional parties reduced to insignificance in a vote that exposed the country’s deep social divisions. EURACTIV France reports.
Europe’s populist wave crashes as Macron sails into French runoff
The populist tsunami that slammed into Britain last year, before sweeping across the Atlantic to the United States, may have faded on the shores of France on Sunday (23 April).
Voters increasingly uneasy as French election draws near
A large proportion of French voters have yet to decide who they will back in the first round of the presidential election this Sunday (23 April). Experts see this as an indictment of the candidates’ persuasive powers. EURACTIV France reports.
Will France’s next president be innovative?
France's election is a test-bed for democratic renewal. However, without a more coherent understanding of how to be more democratic, it is unlikely that the next French president will be truly innovative, writes Stephen Boucher.
From Ankara to Paris: Europe’s fateful week
The European Union is the most endangered contender in this weekend’s French election, warns Professor Alina Mungiu-Pippidi.
Moscovici: ‘Frexit’ would be ‘fatal’ blow to Europe
European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici told EURACTIV France that electing Marine Le Pen and leaving the EU would deal a fatal blow to the European project.
Markets get nervous as French presidential race tightens
Polls showed France's presidential election campaign tightening further yesterday (12 April) as financial markets fretted about the rising popularity of a far-left candidate who wants to put France's European Union membership to a vote.
Development still a non-issue in French election
Three of the top five candidates for the French presidency have said they will boost development spending to meet the international target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI). But not all agree on what this spending should cover. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron is clear favourite in Brussels
Emmanuel Macron’s vision for the future of the European Union has made him a popular man in Brussels. Business and think tank leaders told EURACTIV.com why they support the up-start pro-EU politician..
Pittella: Socialists pushed ‘social agenda’ into Rome Declaration
The Rome Declaration will be balanced and contain strong references to social issues thanks to pressure exerted by the EU's socialist leaders, Gianni Pittella told EURACTIV.com.
Hamon’s European programme strikes a chord in Brussels
France’s Socialist presidential candidate made the pilgrimage to Brussels on Tuesday (21 March) to try and drum up support for his EU programme. But the Commission remains unconvinced by Benoît Hamon’s plans to democratise eurozone governance. EURACTIV France reports.
Europe still a footnote in French presidential debate
The five candidates for France’s top job set out their stalls in a three hour televised debate on TF1 on Monday night (20 March). Questions on Europe and foreign policy were only raised in the last quarter of an hour. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron seen winning French TV debate, clashes with Le Pen on Islam
Centrist Emmanuel Macron solidified his status as frontrunner in France's presidential election on Monday (20 March) in a televised debate during which he clashed on immigration and Europe with his main rival, far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
EU Socialists split between Hamon and Macron
Officially, the European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group backs Benoît Hamon for the French presidency. But MEPs are split over his European outlook, with some, especially the British and Italians, preferring Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
Hamon plans radical departure from EU ‘blabla’
Benoît Hamon said on Friday (10 March) that a multi-speed Europe is just EU “blabla” and tried to drum up intergovernmental support for a €1 trillion energy transition investment programme. EURACTIV France reports.
Hamon calls for international treaty to ‘democratise’ eurozone governance
Benoît Hamon’s proposal of an international treaty between the eurozone countries to increase democratic control of the single currency has raised eyebrows on the left, where such sovereigntist manoeuvring is viewed with suspicion. EURACTIV France reports.
Quiz: Who should you vote for in the French election?
Answer EURACTIV’s 10 questions and see which candidate you should back on 23 April.
Europe’s right in free fall as socialists surge
Marine Le Pen and the German far-right are suddenly losing votes but it remains to be seen how long the strong socialist rise led by Martin Schulz and Benoît Hamon will continue. EURACTIV’s partner Treffpunkteuropa reports.
Hamon and Jadot call for end to Lyon-Turin rail project
A ban on endocrine disruptors, the end of nuclear power and the suspension of the Lyon-Turin high-speed train line: this is Yannick Jadot’s price for supporting Socialist candidate for the French presidency Benoît Hamon. Euractiv France reports.
Parlez-vous English, French politicians?
The French are known for their laissez-faire attitude toward speaking English and political leaders are no exception to this cliché. The French presidential hopefuls' familiarity with the language of Shakespeare also varies from the capable to the shambolic.