About: Emmanuel Macron
French government reshuffle: Environment to be key priority
France's post-municipal election reshuffle was announced on Monday (6 July) by the Secretary-General of the Elysée Palace, Alexis Kohler. The new Prime Minister Jean Castex from conservative party Les Républicains (LR) confirms his right-wing orientation while signalling he will put the environment at the centre of his priorities. EURACTIV France reports.
Jean Castex appointed as new French PM
Jean Castex became the new Prime Minister of France on Friday (3 July), following the announcement of a government reshuffle on Tuesday evening and the resignation of Edouard Philippe this morning.
France and Sahel leaders gather for summit on anti-jihad campaign
Leaders from five West African countries and their ally France gathered Tuesday (30 June) to take stock of a new strategy to intensify the fight against jihadist insurgents in the Sahel.
Merkel and Macron show unity ahead of all-important EU summit
In a show of unity, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Monday (29 June) and reaffirmed their commitment to the EU Recovery Fund, voicing hope that EU leaders would overcome their current differences. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron says EU virus package ‘advancing’, in talks with Dutch PM
French President Emmanuel Macron said talks on a EU coronavirus recovery fund were "advancing" Tuesday (23 June) as he met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a key holdout against the plan.
Macron to discuss EU rescue plan with ‘frugal’ Dutch
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Netherlands Tuesday (23 June) for talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte on a massive EU coronavirus recovery fund that has met with Dutch resistance.
Macron marks de Gaulle’s wartime appeal with UK visit
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (18 June) made his first overseas trip since the coronavirus outbreak began, visiting London to mark the 80th anniversary of wartime resistance leader Charles de Gaulle's rallying cry against Nazi occupation from the British capital.
Europe demands better pandemic plan while worldwide toll passes 400,000
France and Germany on Tuesday (9 June) urged the European Union to better prepare for the next pandemic after chaotic responses to the coronavirus, as worldwide, COVID-19 deaths have passed 407,000, with more than seven million infections.
Renault targets €2bn in savings, will cut 15,000 jobs
Carmaker Renault said Friday (29 May) that it would cut nearly 15,000 jobs, including 4,600 at its core French operations, as it seeks to steer out of a cash crunch exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis.
Macron demands carmakers turn to ‘Made in France’ for €8bn virus aid
French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled on Tuesday (26 May) an €8 billion aid package for the auto industry, which includes increased subsidies for electric car purchases and encourages manufacturers to relocate their factories back to France.
2020 will go down in history as the EU’s turning point thanks to COVID-19
In the two months since mid-March, the European Union has seen a change of course that was unthinkable at the start of the year. Entrenched taboos are falling away, and things that had been awaited for more than 20 years are happening within days and weeks. We must not waste this historic moment, writes Luca Jahier.
‘Frugal Four’ present counter-plan to Macron-Merkel EU recovery scheme
The "Frugal Four" (Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden) presented their own draft for an EU recovery fund in a 'non-paper' sent to the EU capitals on Saturday (23 May). The most important point: aid money must be repaid. EURACTIV Germany reports.
WHO reports record virus cases as Trump mulls in-person G7
The World Health Organization has reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases, as US President Donald Trump proposed hosting world leaders for the annual G7 summit as a sign of "normalization."
Franco-German couple sets eyes on EU health sovereignty
A joint COVID-19 recovery proposal put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (18 May) calls for a new European approach to health crises, aiming for greater EU sovereignty on medical products and pharmaceuticals.
Merkel and Macron roll out €500 billion COVID-19 recovery initiative
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their joint proposal for a €500 billion European recovery programme following a virtual conference on Monday (18 May). The initiative seeks to bring Europe out of the crisis “united and in solidarity,” and prepare the EU for future challenges. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron: we need EU coronavirus rescue package worth 5-10 points of GDP
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe's response to economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus crisis required financial transfers to the hardest-hit regions and not just loans.
Macron extends France’s lockdown until 11 May
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (13 April) announced he was extending a virtual lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak until May 11, adding that progress had been made but the battle not yet won.
Serbia to bring in Russian experts to help fight coronavirus
Serbia will bring in Russian doctors and experts to help it fight the coronavirus outbreak and undertake a major disinfection effort, President Aleksandar Vučić said on Thursday (2 April).
NATO expert panel to determine how to revive ‘brain dead’ alliance
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday (31 March) the creation of a panel of 10 experts to determine NATO’s future after French President Emmanuel Macron declared last autumn that the alliance was experiencing “brain death”. The strategic shift comes...
G20 leaders to inject $5 trillion into global economy in fight against coronavirus
Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies pledged on Thursday (26 March) to inject over $5 trillion into the global economy to limit job and income losses from the coronavirus and "do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic."
COVID-19: France calls unemployed to work in fields as borders stay closed
The French government has called on the technically unemployed French to make themselves available to help farmers with seasonal harvests. But such 'agricultural patriotism' does not bode well with the tightening of containment. EURACTIV France reports.
Balkan hopefuls get green light to start EU talks, conditions still weigh on Tirana
EU ministers on Tuesday (24 March) approved starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, a move hailed as restoring "credibility" after months of damaging delays and bickering.
Macron threatens UK entry ban in lieu of more stringent measures
French President Emmanuel Macron threatened to close France's border with Britain on Friday if Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to take more stringent measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak, a French newspaper reported.