About: France
Macron says deep-sea mining must not go ahead
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday (30 June) a legal framework was needed to stop deep-sea mining from going ahead and urged countries to put their money on science to better understand and protect the world's oceans.
France unlikely to go ‘all the way’ on its climate ambitions, experts say
The French government is unlikely to follow through on its climate ambitions, the country's High Council on Climate (HCC) said on Thursday (30 June) in a report containing recommendations for the executive.
Metsola: EU ‘let itself be surprised’ by war in Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine revealed Europe's complacency and a "new paradigm" is needed, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at the Jacques Delors Institute's annual conference on Tuesday (28 June).
Ukraine war limited Moscow’s ability to interfere in French election, report says
The Russian invasion of Ukraine redeployed the Kremlin's foreign interference capabilities, saw the ban on RT and Sputnik in the EU, and weakened attempts to influence the French presidential election.
French public broadcasting sector on strike, uncertain about its future
French public television and radio groups went on strike on Tuesday (June 28) against the planned abolition of the broadcasting licence fee paid by French households, which the service says ensures the proper functioning and independence of their newsrooms.
EU ministers back 40% renewable energy target for 2030
EU ministers provisionally agreed on Monday (27 June) to ensure the share of renewables in the bloc's energy mix reaches 40% by 2030 – despite the fact that the objective is now rendered outdated by new proposals tabled since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
France needs ‘at least €2.3 billion’ extra per year for climate adaptation
France will have to spend "at least" €2.3 billion more per year to adapt infrastructures to climate change, a recent report published by the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) think tank reads.
After Macron lost parliamentary majority, France’s tech policy could turn protectionist
Under Emmanuel Macron, France has become a digital leader. After the parliamentary vote in which he lost the majority in the national assembly, expect digital nationalism to dominate, write Daniel Hayes, Charles Martinet, and Gabriel Delsol.
Germany pushes to tie together enlargement and EU reform
While German Chancellor Scholz has demonstrated support for EU accession processes, he stressed on Wednesday (22 June) that enlargement must be tied to institutional reform of the EU.
EU task force calls for digital commons foundation launch
There should be a new European foundation in charge of developing so-called "digital commons" across the bloc, said an EU task force asked to reflect on how to harness this tool for greater digital sovereignty.
Macron’s high-stakes diplomatic marathon
Faced with a political and institutional crisis at home, French President Emmanuel Macron who lost control over the National Assembly as his coalition only obtained a relative majority in recent elections, is poised to embark on a series of international meetings.
Oxfam France director: climate protection needs radical solutions
A radical change - particularly in public policy - is needed to address climate change and the social inequalities that come with it, former green minister and current director-general of Oxfam France, Cécile Duflot, told EURACTIV France in an exclusive interview.
French competition body accepts Google’s commitments on ‘neighbouring rights’
France's competition watchdog accepts Google's commitments following negotiations with press publishers over neighbouring rights, the body said on Tuesday (21 June), while the US giant said it will not contest the €500 million fine against it.
Sales of high-blend ethanol surge in France amid rising fuel prices
Record fuel prices seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have led cost-conscious motorists to pivot towards alternative fuel sources, with sales of E85 – a mixture of petrol and up to 85% bioethanol – rising significantly in France.
French companies line up for piece of the ‘metaverse pie’
The metaverse, expected to shake the virtual world as we know it, has also seduced French companies which are determined to have a spot in the new technology's development but have decided to proceed cautiously.
French left is still divided on Europe
The French left, now the strongest opposition facing Emmanuel Macron's presidential majority in this year's legislative elections set for Sunday (19 June), remains divided regarding issues related to the European Union.
French elections: parties give mixed messages to supporters ahead of Sunday’s vote
With some candidates not having qualified for France's second round of legislative elections on Sunday (19 June), parties have been giving mixed messages on who to vote for, and no longer calling on voters to vote against the extreme right at all costs.
Donbas battle will determine course of war: Zelenskyy
Ukraine's battle against Russian troops in Donbas will determine the course of the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 14 June, asking his nation to stay strong in the face of Moscow's devastating attack against two key cities.
Zelenskyy tells Germany to give Ukraine arms, worry less about Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Olaf Scholz to show full-throated support for Kyiv, charging the German Chancellor with being too concerned about the repercussions that would have for Berlin's ties with Moscow.
French elections: far-right makes gains, suffers from majority voting system
The far-right bloc dominated by Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National, made some gains in the French parliamentary elections on Sunday (12 June) but will struggle to win seats in the second round (19 June) partly due to the voting system. EURACTIV France reports.
French left-wing bloc wants a ‘transformed’ CAP
France’s new left-wing bloc led by radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, which did well in Sunday's poll, wants to push for a transformation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to review the allocation of the €9 billion France receives through it. EURACTIV France reports.
France hints at halfway decision for Ukraine candidate status
A decision to give Ukraine candidate status to the European Union has to be done without weakening the bloc and to ensure Kyiv is not left in limbo for years, a French presidential official said on Friday (10 June).
Mélenchon revives debate over nuclear’s supposed ‘volatility’ ahead of election
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has reiterated his opposition to nuclear ahead of the first round of the legislative elections this weekend, adding that he will maintain his stance if he gets nominated prime minister. EURACTIV France reports.