About: François Fillon
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 hopes new centre-right PM will broaden political appeal
France’s new president, Emmanuel Macron, appointed a conservative prime minister earlier today (15 May) in a shrewd move designed to broaden his political appeal ahead of legislative elections next month. But just who is Macron’s new right-hand man?
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).
Paris shooting overshadows final day of French election campaign
Security concerns took centre stage in the final days of France's tight presidential race, as candidates defended their stance on the fight against terror, following a shooting in Paris that killed one policeman.
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.
Le Pen, Macron and Mélenchon stage rival rallies in Paris
The two frontrunners in the French presidential election, far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron, staged rival rallies in Paris on Monday, while outsider Mélenchon cruised through the capital on a barge.
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.
French prosecutor’s office eagerly awaits launch of European equivalent
France's anti-corruption efforts were boosted three years ago with the creation of a national finance prosecutor's office (PNF). The planned European Public Prosecutor's Office could simplify its now high-profile investigations. EURACTIV France reports.
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.
EPP says it won’t tolerate corrupt politicians in its ranks
The European People’s Party (EPP) yesterday (29 March) passed a resolution claiming that scandals in its national member parties won’t be tolerated. EURACTIV.com reports from Malta.
Fillon, Macron and Le Pen attempt to win over business leaders
France’s leading presidential candidates yesterday (28 March) aimed to rally business leaders behind their programmes for social reform, increased competitiveness, education and globalisation. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.
‘President Le Pen’ could ride voter apathy to victory
The mobilisation of National Front voters and widespread apathy among the rest of France’s electorate may combine to hand Marine Le Pen a historic victory in the second round of the presidential election in May, an analyst told EURACTIV France.
Spokesperson: Expensive gifts to Commissioners from ‘old friends’ don’t count
Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has received expensive suits as gifts. Their unit price is estimated at €15,000, the French weekly Le Canard Enchaîné has revealed. But the Commission sees no wrongdoing.
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.
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.
Hollande says will ‘do everything’ to prevent a Le Pen victory
French President Francois Hollande stressed today (6 March) that he would “do everything” in his power to prevent Le Pen from winning the election this year and leading Paris out of the EU.
French conservatives in disarray as Fillon clings on
France's conservatives appeared to be at war with themselves less than 50 days from the presidential election as François Fillon clung on to his struggling, scandal-tainted campaign and senior party members fought to oust him as their candidate.
Fillon’s former deputy backs controversial copyright reform
The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture, usually a staunch defender of authors’ rights, has proposed a series of new exceptions to the copyright reforms under development at EU level. Rapporteur Marc Joulaud is a former deputy of François Fillon and employer of his wife Penelope. EURACTIV France reports.