Charles Szumski
The French Republicans: kingmakers?
As the legislative elections come to a conclusion, the right-wing alliance that includes Les Républicains (LR) finishes with about 70 seats in the new National Assembly and is positioned as a potential kingmaker in this parliamentary recomposition at work.
France’s new united Left says climate more important than EU rules
Ecological planning and a "golden climate rule" that aims to establish environmental primacy over EU law are key to the programme of France's new Green-Left Union spearheaded by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise. EURACTIV France reports.
French senators push to strengthen media independence
The French Senate has put forward proposals to strengthen the independence of the French media, which are held by a limited number of large groups and governed by rules that have become "obsolete" with digital technology and the strong competition from American platforms.
France leads calls to reform ‘absurd’ EU energy market
Reforming an "absurd" European electricity market still dependent on the price of fossil fuels is one of France's medium-term projects to achieve energy independence, as explained by French economy minister Bruno Le Maire.
Brussels praises Italy for fining Amazon €1.1 billion in antritrust case
The Italian antitrust body has slapped a €1.128 billion fine on Amazon after finding that the US giant holds a position of absolute dominance in the Italian e-commerce market, which has allowed it to favour its own logistics service. The European Commission has already praised Italy's move, while Amazon said it would appeal the decision
French government creates new online antipiracy body
The new law "on the regulation and protection of access to cultural works in the digital age" was published in the French official journal on Tuesday (26 October) and will set up a new authority to better fight piracy online.
French government to invest €650 million in digital health
France has the potential to be a "leader in digital health", Health Minister Olivier Véran has said, announcing an investment plan of €650 million, divided into five axes, to accelerate the national digital health strategy, as part of the Health Innovation 2030 plan.
Opioid use: “more controlled” in Europe than in the US
The consumption of opioid painkillers increased in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is this enough to signal the risk of an opioid crisis similar to the one in the United States? Not really, experts say.
Pushed out, president of French competition body feels ‘surprised and disappointed’
The president of the French competition authority, Isabelle de Silva, who has slapped a record-high fine on Google during her tenure, has revealed that she will not be reappointed and will no longer work on some "difficult projects", including the merger of TV channels TF1 and M6.
French government announces support scheme for mentally vulnerable
In a drive to broaden health benefits, France announced new aid to guarantee the rights of people with intellectual disabilities as a two-day World Mental Health Summit opened in Paris on Tuesday (5 October).
French privacy watchdog takes action on government fingerprint database issues
The National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL) has decided to call the Ministry of the Interior to order after observing several failures in the proper maintenance of the automated fingerprint file (FAED).
South Korea has proven we can beat Apple and Google, vice president of Match Group says
As Google and Apple are coming under attack from all sides for the power they wield over app developers, the debate is also raging in France and the European tech, particularly as the EU's landmark Digital Markets Act approaches.
France: mandatory vaccination for caregivers ‘risks destabilising health structures’, nursing union says
From (Wednesday (15 September) on, health institutions staff in France will have to present a vaccination certificate to be allowed to practise. But the move is perceived as a threat by the already understaffed medical and paramedical branch.
France’s parliament considers use of drones by police, again
French members of parliament will start examining on Tuesday (14 September) a bill on criminal responsibility and internal security, intended to provide a long-awaited legal framework for the use of drones by law enforcement agencies.
Macron announces new French crop insurance scheme
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to create a new crop insurance system, with a budget of €600 million per year, which will be simpler, faster and more efficient.
COVID highlights need for EU to regulate wildlife trafficking
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to regulate the trade in live wild animals, who could carry viruses. In Europe, the lack of regulation on this subject represents a major health risk.
‘Too many priorities kill the priorities?’ France’s many ambitions for its 2022 EU presidency
With France set to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU (FPEU) in January 2022, the list of issues the government wants to tackle for the occasion seems never-ending.
Macron to push for pesticide phase-out during EU presidency stint
France will push for "an accelerated phase-out of pesticides" at the EU level when it takes on the rotating EU Council Presidency in January 2022, President Emmanuel Macron told the World Conservation Congress which opened in Marseille this week