1 week ago PM denies small boat plans are ‘in tatters’ as ministers urge new French tactics

Sir Keir is expected to speak to French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.

Politics

2 w. ago French Socialist party to fight for wealth tax as it seeks to capitalise on crisis

Party has promised to stand back as weakened prime minister prepares for crucial no-confidence voteThe French Socialist party says it will fight to introduce a flagship wealth tax to raise revenue by targeting France’s richest people, as the divided parliament prepares to begin debating next year’s budget.Boris Vallaud, the head of the Socialist party grouping in parliament, said on Wednesday that taxing very high-wealth individuals in France was “one of our principal battles and we’re going to put all our energy into it”. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Lecornu backs delaying rise in French retirement age until after 2027 presidential election – Europe live

PM says that law increasing age to 64 will be put on pause in bid to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would bring down his governmentThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills o...

Politics

3 w. ago French prime minister proposes suspending controversial retirement age law until 2027 election

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu plans to suspend a controversial retirement age increase from 62 to 64

Politics

3 w. ago French prime minister names cabinet amid race to pass a budget

Sébastien Lecornu retains Roland Lescure as finance minister

Politics

3 w. ago French prime minister names cabinet as he seeks to finalise a budget

Sébastien Lecornu retains Roland Lescure as finance minister

Politics

3 w. ago Emmanuel Macron’s political turmoil isn’t just bad news for France

Editorial: The consequences of the president’s weakness will be felt beyond France’s borders – with Vladimir Putin the main winner

Politics

3 w. ago Don’t fall for the authoritarian hype – Reform and the hard right can be stopped in their tracks | Gordon Brown

From the US to Europe and Asia, grievances are being exploited to gain power. But moderate voices are still in tune with the majorityGordon Brown was UK prime minister from 2007 to 2010Nigel Farage portrays his Reform UK party as a unique phenomenon that has burst on to the global stage, its meteoric rise an exceptional epochal event. But this week, in every one of Europe’s major countries and from India and Thailand to the US and Argentina, hard-right, anti-immigrant, anti-globalisation parties like his are also ahead in the opinion polls.In last Saturday’s Czech elections, the rightwing, pro-Putin populist Andrej Babiš toppled prime minister Petr Fiala. National Rally, which has just brought down yet another French prime minister, is leading the polls for both the French presidency and parliament. In Germany, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is currently the most popular party. Hungary’s Fidesz party, Robert Fico’s pro-Russian Slovakian coalition and the Brothers of...

Culture

3 w. ago Sebastien Lecornu renamed as French Prime Minister just 5 days after quitting

After days of negotiations, Emmanuel Macron has asked Sebastien Lecornu to try again to form a government and produce a budget in a bid to end France's political deadlock

Politics

3 w. ago Macron REAPPOINTS French Prime Minister who quit the same position four days ago after less than a month in the job

French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed the French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu

Politics

3 w. ago Emmanuel Macron reappoints Sébastien Lecornu as French prime minister

Premier says he wants to press ahead with efforts to finalise a budget for 2026

Politics

3 w. ago Macron reappoints Sébastien Lecornu as French prime minister

French president tasks Lecornu, who resigned as PM on Monday, with forming a new cabinetThe French president, Emmanuel Macron, has reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister and tasked him with forming a new cabinet.More details to follow Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Macron on ‘last chance’ as he promises new French prime minister within 48 hours

The French president is seeking his sixth prime minister in under two years after the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu

Politics

3 w. ago Macron on ‘last chance’ as he seeks new French prime minister within 48 hours

Macron is seeking his sixth prime minister in under two years after the resignation of Sebastien Lecornu

Politics

3 w. ago New French PM to be named by Friday as Macron resists pressure to call snap elections

Government spokesperson says it may be ‘last chance’ for politicians to regain credibility and cut risk of far right taking powerEmmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister by Friday evening, his office has said, hinting at the French president’s hopes that a sixth prime minister in less than two years will manage to steer a budget through the country’s deeply fragmented parliament.“This might be the last chance,” government spokesperson Aurore Bergé told RTL radio on Thursday. “I believe this is the last chance for politicians to regain credibility ... all of this is only strengthening the chances and capabilities of the far right to take power.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Borough to install 400 electric vehicle charging points by 2027

The roll-out will will prioritise high density residential neighbourhoods which have little or no access to charging facilities

Politics

4 w. ago Explosions as van erupts in flames near French Prime Minister’s office in Paris

Outgoing PM Sebastien Lecornu had been due to hold meetings following his resignation

Politics

4 w. ago Macron should announce early election, says former PM as France’s political crisis deepens

Édouard Philippe, a contender to succeed Macron, says situation is ‘distressing’ amid last-ditch efforts to get cross-party support for cabinetEurope live – latest updatesÉdouard Philippe, a former French prime minister and one-time ally of Emmanuel Macron, has said he favours early presidential elections given the gravity of the political crisis rocking the country.The remarks by Philippe, a leading centre-right contender to succeed Macron, came as the outgoing prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, began a last-ditch effort to rally cross-party support for a cabinet to pull France out of its deepening political deadlock. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Knives come out for Macron as France spirals into crisis: One of Emmanuel's former prime ministers calls for early presidential election after latest PM lasts just 27 days

Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday that he was in favour of an early presidential election.

Politics

4 w. ago French stocks and bonds slump as ANOTHER Prime Minister resigns

French stocks and bonds were sold off on Monday morning after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu unexpectedly resigned after just less than a month in charge.

Politics