About: Manuel Valls
Le Pen still has chance of presidential victory
With the polls narrowing and one of her main rivals embroiled in an expenses scandal, far-right leader Marine Le Pen could feasibly become French president in May, senior politicians and commentators say.
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.
Scandal-mired Fillon still under pressure to quit French presidential race
France faces a week of political uncertainty with François Fillon, the rightwing presidential candidate, under mounting pressure to quit the race because of an employment scandal and divisions over whether, and how, to replace him.
Embattled Fillon tells rivals to ‘leave my wife alone’
François Fillon’s involvement in an employment scandal has his supporters on edge as the looming threat of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, and the presidential election itself, draw closer. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel.
Hamon’s victory confirms ‘Corbynisation’ of French left
The clear victor in France’s Socialist primary, Benoît Hamon represents the left fringe of his divided party. Fearing a decline into eternal opposition and irrelevance, some Socialist MPs will instead back Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
French presidential hopeful says EU’s ‘3% public deficit dogma must end’
During a TV debate yesterday evening (25 January), both contenders for the Socialist ticket in the French Presidential election said they would loosen the country’s purse strings, with Benoît Hamon going a step further by promising to end the EU's “3% deficit dogma”. EURACTIV France reports.
French presidential candidates neglect development policy debate
As France's presidential election looms nearer, French NGOs have asked the candidates to put development policies, which are currently notable in their absence from the debate, at the heart of their foreign policy proposals. EURACTIV France reports.
Hamon outclasses presidential rival Valls on green issues
Benoît Hamon’s late sally into the French presidential race has added another intriguing player to the equation. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement takes a look at Hamon and fellow Socialist candidate Manuel Valls in terms of their environmental credentials.
Hamon emerges as surprise contender for French leftwing presidential runoff
Leftwing outsider Benoît Hamon will fight former prime minister Manuel Valls for the French Socialist presidential nomination next Sunday (29 January) after winning the first round of the party's primary.
MEPs call for EU law requiring minimum wage in every country
MEPs are asking the European Commission to require member states to introduce national minimum wages in a move that will unnerve politicians across Europe, business lobby groups and even some trade unions.
Europe finally takes centre stage in French election
In their eagerness to distance themselves from the National Front, the left-wing candidates for the French presidency are suddenly discovering their pro-European side. Some even want more sovereignty to go to Brussels. EURACTIV France reports.
France’s Valls courts traditional socialists in presidential bid
Former prime minister Manuel Valls promised to avoid draconian public spending cuts in a pitch for traditional leftwing voters as he laid out his bid on Tuesday (3 January) to become the ruling Socialist Party's candidate in France's presidential election.
Vincent Peillon: the ‘Third man’ in the French elections
Vincent Peillon, an MEP and France's former education minister, will declare his candidacy for the 2017 presidential election this weekend. The surge of new candidates on the left is showing no sign of drying up. EURACTIV France reports.
Cazeneuve steps up to ‘protect’ France
France's former Minister for the Interior Bernard Cazeneuve has taken over from Manuel Valls as head of the government, which he will lead for the last five months of François Hollande’s mandate. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
Manuel Valls: Tough-talker with French presidential ambitions
When two journalists published the book 'A President Shouldn't Say That' which quotes François Hollande disparaging judges, insulting footballers and revealing state secrets, Prime Minister Manuel Valls could not hide his "shame" and "anger".
Hollande will not stand for re-election, acknowledges unpopularity
President François Hollande shocked France yesterday (1 December) by announcing he would not seek a second term next year, acknowledging his deep unpopularity and making way for another leftist candidate to take on conservative François Fillon and far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
What you need to know about the French left primary
The right has chosen François Fillon, now it is up to the left to choose its candidate for the 2017 presidential election. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Schäuble praises progress made by Spain, takes aim at Moscovici
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has praised Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for the "great progress" he has made in structural reforms and refuted EU claims that Germany should be spending more to stimulate growth. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Ex-minister Macron to run for French presidency
Former economy minister Emmanuel Macron will announce on Wednesday a run for the French presidency, a source close to him said - a long-awaited move that could disrupt other campaigns on both the left and the right.
Paris looks to take advantage of Brexit chaos
The main political figures of Paris met with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls yesterday (3 November) to discuss how best to offer opportunities to foreign businesses looking to relocate to the capital region. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.
Manuel Valls, a credible Plan B for president?
The French prime minister on Saturday (22 October) stressed the need for the left to unite ahead of next year's presidential elections. The popularity of Socialist President François Hollande is in decline once again. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Macron promises to lead the ‘fight’ for Europe
Emmanuel Macron, the "non-candidate" for the French presidential election, presented his vision for the European Union at the Brussels Days event in the EU capital on Wednesday (19 October). EURACTIV France reports.
‘Strange’ manoeuvering over CETA exposes democratic deficit
French lawmakers are continuing their battle against the EU's free trade deal with Canada (CETA). The arrest of Green MEP José Bové by the Canadian authorities yesterday (12 October) has only deepened concerns over the deal. EURACTIV France reports.