About: Jean-François Copé
The Brief: Could Madame Fillon be Monsieur Fillon’s Achilles heel?
“Is it possible to imagine General de Gaulle being put under investigation?” asked the French right-wing presidential candidate François Fillon a few months ago, ahead of his victory in the primary election of Les Republicains.
Europe notable in its absence from French right-wing debate
The seven candidates vying for the French right's presidential nomination squared off again in their second televised debate last night (3 November). But European issues were largely absent from the proceedings. EURACTIV France reports.
New French MEP under fire for role in “Bygmalion affair”
Revelations of fraud from Jérôme Lavrilleux, Nicolas Sarkozy's former campaigner turned MEP, have sparked controversy within the UMP. The future of the newly elected legislator is now uncertain. EURACTIV France reports.
UMP demand more selective Schengen II
On the eve of the EU elections, France’s main opposition party, the UMP, lashed out at the Schengen agreement. Nicolas Sarkozy resurfaced and echoed this sentiment in an opinion piece published by the French weekly Le Point. EURACTIV France reports.
UMP struggles to present united front on Europe
France's centre-right UMP presented its platform, along with several candidates, for the European elections last week. But the leading opposition faction is divided, as debate on Europe rages within the party, and its programme refers to an exit of the Schengen area. EURACTIV France reports.
French TV will not air EU Commission Presidency debate
20 European channels will broadcast the debate between candidates for the presidency of the European Commission on 15 May. However, France Télévisions has decided to not air the debate. EURACTIV France reports.