About: Valérie Pécresse
France’s traditional right in turmoil ahead of parliamentary vote
France's formerly dominant right-wing party, Les Républicains (LR), will seek "no alliance" with re-elected centrist President Emmanuel Macron before the legislative elections in June, the party decided during a strategic council meeting on Tuesday (26 April). There have been no public statements since then.
Sarkozy calls to vote for Macron as the French right fractures
The former right-wing president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, has called on citizens to vote for Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the presidential election on 24 April, in contrast with the position of his former party.
Pécresse will not urge voters to pick Macron in final round
French right-wing candidate Valérie Pécresse said on Friday (8 April) she will not tell voters who to pick in the second round of the presidential election should she fail to make it past the first one on Sunday (10 April) - a surprising move for a party that has always urged voters to block the far-right.
French presidential candidates vary in approach to declining farmer numbers
Over the next decade, 45% of French farmers will retire, presenting a significant challenge for the next president regarding food self-sufficiency and generational renewal. EURACTIV France reports.
Solar energy neglected in French candidates’ green transition plans
The development of solar energy is unlikely to change much in France in the next five years, as the presidential candidates have not made it a priority.
French candidates disagree on retirement age, unified on pension raise
Candidates in the French presidential race all have a clear position on whether to keep, reduce or raise the current legal retirement age - a topic that has been a major source of political debate in France for decades. EURACTIV France reports.
French government justifies ‘McKinseygate’ ahead of election
The French government has justified its increased use of consultancy firms under President Emmanuel Macron's five-year term, saying it was due to "exceptional circumstances". EURACTIV France reports.
How French candidates aim to balance green, digital transitions
All French presidential candidates have identified climate issues as central to their programmes and are urging digital companies to play their part in the environmental transition. EURACTIV France reports.
French presidential candidates unified in calls for mental health care reform
Presidential candidates in the French election race all want to reform the state of mental health care as the country's mental well-being significantly deteriorated because of the pandemic. EURACTIV France reports.
French candidates almost unified in calls for reduction in inheritance tax
Raising the threshold of relief from inheritance tax is one of the very few measures all candidates in the French presidential elections agree on, although they vary in their amounts proposed. EURACTIV France reports.
French candidates’ views on EU farming policies explained
Candidates in the French presidential elections presented their plans for the future of farming at February's international agricultural show, the Salon de l'Agriculture. EURACTIV France took a closer look at how these tie in with EU policy.
French presidential candidates’ proposals on healthcare staff shortage
French presidential candidates have put forward their proposals on how to tackle the country's shortage of healthcare staff across several regions. EURACTIV France reports.
French right-wing accuses Macron of ripping them off
Right-wing Les Républicains candidate Valérie Pécresse and her supporters have criticised French President Emmanuel Macron for plagiarising the right's programme ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
French presidential candidates divided on granting Corsica autonomy
The French state is in favour of "going as far as autonomy" for Corsica, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said Wednesday (16 March) to which most presidential candidates, but for those on the far-right, said they were in favour of. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s rivals bemoan lack of debate ahead of first election round
With the presidential elections less than a month away, a proper debate between candidates is yet to occur, with some even refusing to do so before the first round of voting. EURACTIV France reports.
French candidates turn to legislatives as Macron heavily leads polls
Candidates in the French presidential elections seem to have already accepted defeat as French President Emmanuel Macron who recently announced his candidacy is leading in the polls and the war in Ukraine has cast a shadow on most issues. EURACTIV France reports.
Ukraine crisis used as political tool in French election race
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become a heated talking point amongst French presidential candidates, who are racing to position themselves on the crisis in the lead up to the polls. EURACTIV France reports.
French presidential candidates give positions on digital health
The Health spokespersons of presidential candidates Anne Hidalgo, Yannick Jadot, Valérie Pécresse, and soon-to-be-announced candidate Emmanuel Macron presented their programs for the April election regarding digital health at an event on Thursday (February 24).
French candidates condemn Russia as Macron speaks of European ‘unity’
French politicians, including all candidates in the presidential race, unanimously condemned Russia's military strike against Ukraine on Thursday (24 February). President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe will respond "in unity" to Russia’s “act of war”. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron says Ukraine, Covid come before re-election campaign
President Emmanuel Macron indicated Tuesday (1 February) he plans to keep the French waiting before confirming he will seek a second term in April elections, saying dealing with the crisis over Ukraine and coronavirus comes first.
Civil society urges French presidential candidates to discuss digital issues
Digital matters have been noticeably missing from the debates leading up to the French presidential elections in April leading to civil society organisations calling on candidates to give more importance to innovation or skills, EURACTIV France reports.
Pécresse riding the fine line between Macron and Le Pen on Europe
Valérie Pécresse, the right-wing candidate for Les Républicains, has presented her "patriotic and European" vision for Europe. It flirts between the one presented by 'not-yet candidate' Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen. EURACTIV France reports.
French right divided over vaccine pass amid run-up to presidential elections
French MPs have adopted the COVID vaccine pass bill in the National Assembly on Thursday (6 January) amid fierce debates laying bare the internal struggles of the right-wing. Now, only Senate approval remains. EURACTIV France reports.