French politics
25 stories related to this topic, newest first.
deccanchronicle.comLe Pen Leads Rivals in French Runoff Polling Scenarios
A Toluna-Harris Interactive poll conducted May 25-27 shows Marine Le Pen ahead in three hypothetical second-round matchups. The survey tested her against three other candidates under the assumption she can run in the April 2027 election.
Le MondeFrench Court to Rule on Sarkozy Appeal November 30
The Paris appeals court ended hearings in the Libyan funding case against former president Nicolas Sarkozy on May 27. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year prison term. The verdict is scheduled for November 30.
Le MondeLawyer Describes Former Interior Minister's Resentment Toward Sarkozy at Appeal Hearing
A lawyer told the Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday that former interior minister Claude Guéant harbors resentment toward Nicolas Sarkozy. The statement came during proceedings linked to alleged Libyan funding of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign.
Le MondeFrench MEP Glucksmann Uses Book Tour to Gauge 2027 Presidential Support
Center-left European Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann is promoting a new book and holding a rally near Paris to test interest in a 2027 presidential run. He has not formally declared his candidacy.
france24.comFrench Prime Minister Announces Presidential Candidacy
The current French prime minister announced a run for president in 2027. The announcement positions the candidate as a centrist successor to the current administration.
Le MondeFrench Lawmakers Approve Macron Nominee for Central Bank Governor
French lawmakers on Wednesday narrowly approved President Emmanuel Macron's choice to lead the Banque de France. The finance committees of both parliamentary chambers did not oppose the appointment.
whatreallyhappened.comBook Details Macron Marriage and Influence of Wife
A new book by Paris Match journalist Florian Tadif examines the relationship between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. The book draws on accounts from advisers and friends to describe their private interactions and her role in his career.
Le MondeProsecutors Request Seven-Year Sentence for Sarkozy in Appeal of Libyan Campaign Funding Case
French prosecutors requested a seven-year prison term for former President Nicolas Sarkozy on May 13, 2026, describing him as the instigator and sole beneficiary of a corruption pact with the Libyan regime. The request matches the initial trial sentence sought in 2025, when Sarko…
The IndependentBook Alleges Text Message Prompted Brigitte Macron to Shove Emmanuel Macron
A new book reports that Brigitte Macron pushed French President Emmanuel Macron in the face upon disembarking a plane in Vietnam last year after seeing a text message he sent to an Iranian-French actress. The couple had previously described the incident as joking. The author stat…
France 24Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for Sarkozy in Libyan Campaign Funding Appeal
French prosecutors requested a seven-year prison term for former President Nicolas Sarkozy on May 13, 2026, during his appeal trial in Paris over allegations he sought Libyan funds for his 2007 election campaign. Sarkozy, 71, has denied any wrongdoing and was previously jailed fo…
thehindu.comNational Rally Responds to Kylian Mbappé Comments on Presidential Election
French football captain Kylian Mbappé expressed concerns about the National Rally winning next year’s presidential election. The party’s president and Marine Le Pen responded to the remarks. Mbappé, who plays for Real Madrid, cited the consequences for the country if the party ca…
nbcnews.comClosing Arguments Delivered in Nicolas Sarkozy Appeal Trial Over Alleged 2007 Libyan Campaign Funding
Almost two months after the appeal trial opened, prosecutors began delivering closing arguments in the case alleging Libyan funding of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign. The former French president, 71, has denied all allegations against him. France 24 reported on the…
France 24French Prosecutors Request Corruption Convictions Against Sarkozy in Gaddafi Funding Case
French prosecutors on Tuesday requested that the Paris appeals court convict former President Nicolas Sarkozy of corruption, concealment of embezzlement of public funds and illegal campaign financing related to his 2007 presidential campaign. The move comes one day after they acc…
riotimesonline.comTotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné to Appear Before French National Assembly Finance Committee on June 17
Patrick Pouyanné will appear before the Assemblée Nationale's finance committee on June 17 at 10:00 a.m. following the company's payment of zero euros in corporate tax in 2025 and a 51 percent surge in first-quarter profits to $5.8 billion. Eric Coquerel, president of the committ…
France 24Prosecutors Seek Guilty Verdict for Sarkozy in Libyan Campaign Funding Appeal
Prosecutors at the appeal trial of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked the court to convict him of criminal conspiracy for allegedly instigating meetings with Libyan regime representatives to secure funds for his 2007 election campaign. The request came as prosecutors p…
thesouthafrican.comProsecutors Present Closing Arguments in Sarkozy Appeal Trial
Prosecutors delivered closing arguments Monday in the appeal trial of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received illegal Libyan financing. The proceedings, which began nearly two months ago, concern a prior conviction tha…
cicnews.comAbout 30 Candidates Express Interest in 2027 French Presidential Election
Nearly 30 people, almost all men, have said they want to run in next year's French presidential election. Many are focused on opposing the far-right National Rally, which leads in polls a year before the vote. Leftwing groups met in Paris this week to mark the 90th anniversary of…
france24.comFrance Far-Right Leaders Meet German and Israeli Ambassadors
Leaders of France's far-right party have held meetings with the ambassadors of Germany and Israel in recent months. The engagements come as the party prepares for the 2027 presidential election. The party was previously accused of antisemitism.
France 24Nicolas Sarkozy Avoids Electronic Ankle Tag in 2012 Campaign Funding Case
A French court decided former President Nicolas Sarkozy will not wear an electronic ankle tag for his conviction over illegal funding of his 2012 re-election bid. The decision cited his advanced age of 71. Sarkozy has already served jail time in a separate case and received two o…
EuronewsJean-Luc Mélenchon Announces Candidacy for 2027 French Presidential Election
The left-wing leader declared his candidacy on 3 May 2026 and spoke of launching "a new media France." Critics from the Socialist Party and other left factions called the move a breach of earlier promises not to run again and said it would damage chances of unity. Supporters of a…
thesouthafrican.comVictims' Lawyers Present Closing Arguments at Sarkozy Appeal Trial Over Alleged Libyan Campaign Funding
Lawyers for families of 1989 UTA Flight 772 bombing victims delivered closing arguments on May 5, 2026, at the Paris appeal trial concerning alleged Libyan funding of Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign. Vincent Ollivier described the proceedings as a 'theater of appeara…
news.sky.comFrench National Rally Proposes Policy Limiting Social Benefits to Citizens
Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally party, stated in a May 1 speech that social benefits would be reserved for French citizens if the party wins the 2027 elections. He criticized state-funded healthcare for undocumented migrants and vowed to prioritize French fa…
en.rfi.frJean-Luc Mélenchon Announces 2027 French Presidential Bid
Veteran leftist leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon announced on May 3, 2026, that he will run in the 2027 French presidential election, marking his fourth attempt. The 74-year-old head of La France Insoumise cited global threats including war, climate change, and economic crisis as reason…
en.rfi.frMélenchon Announces 2027 French Presidential Bid
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of France's Unbowed party, declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on May 3, 2026. The 74-year-old politician will make his fourth run for the presidency amid political instability following the 2024 elections. With President Emmanuel Ma…
France 24French Left-Wing Leader Jean-Luc Melenchon Announces 2027 Presidential Bid
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of France's Unbowed party, declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on Sunday. This marks his fourth run, following campaigns in 2012, 2017, and 2022 where he increased his vote share each time. The announcement comes amid political ins…