France

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Le Maire: China does not pose risk
France seeks better access to the Chinese market and a “more balanced” trade relationship – but does not want to decouple from the world’s second-largest economy, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire stressed in Beijing on Sunday. Le Maire said at a press conference in Beijing that he did not want to encounter legislative or […] continue reading →
EP leases Osmose building in Strasbourg
The European Parliament rents a new building at its headquarters in Strasbourg. This was decided by the Budget Committee on Wednesday with 26 votes in favor, eleven against and three abstentions. Greens and Social Democrats were against renting the Osmose building. The building is to house the Parliament’s administration. Previously, there had been criticism of […] continue reading →
RED III: ITRE confirms nuclear compromise
On Wednesday, the Parliament’s Industry Committee approved the EU states’ latest compromise on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). The vote in the plenum is to follow in September.There had already been an agreement on RED III in the trilogue in March, which, however, was later called into question by the French government because of […] continue reading →
Critical raw materials: Germany, France and Italy set up working group
At a meeting in Berlin yesterday, German Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck and his counterparts from France and Italy, Bruno Le Maire and Adolfo Urso, announced increased cooperation in the area of critical raw materials. To this end, the three countries want to set up a high-level working group to exchange views on issues […] continue reading →
Paris summit to prepare for a climate-friendly financial system
France's President Emmanuel Macron wants to put climate finance at the top of the agenda with the Summit for a New Global Finance Pact. Here is the background. continue reading →
Macron calls for strengthening of European companies in air defense
At the conference on European air defense convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had to have uncomfortable conversations. Where are the sticking points between Germany and France? continue reading →
RED vote in ITRE postponed until June
The vote on the trilogue compromise on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in the EU Parliament’s Industry and Energy Committee (ITRE) will be postponed until June. This was announced by committee chairman Christian-Silviu Bușoi (EPP) on Tuesday. The decision followed France’s sudden blockade last week. EPP, Renew and ECR are in favor of the postponement. […] continue reading →
What’s cooking in Brussels? Farewell of an agricultural expert
He became one of the leading experts on agricultural issues in the European Parliament. Now, Éric Andrieu (S&D), an MEP from the south of France, has decided to "turn over a new leaf". The politician, who represents the Grand Sud-Ouest constituency in France, will no longer run in the European elections. continue reading →
Ambassador to France causes outrage with remark on former Soviet states
China's top diplomat in France, Lu Shaye, has questioned the sovereignty of the former states of the Soviet Union. The Baltic EU states see this as proof that China cannot act as a mediator in the war against Ukraine. On Monday, the EU foreign ministers will discuss the incident. continue reading →
What’s cooking in Paris? French Casserolade
On April 24, it will have been exactly one year since Emmanuel Macron was re-elected. The passing of the pension reform law without parliamentary approval has increased unrest in France. The question arises regarding the constitutional limits of French institutions. continue reading →
Valérie Masson-Delmotte: feminist climate researcher
Valérie Masson-Delmotte is difficult to reach. Because the French Paleoclimatologist and Research Director at the national research center for nuclear energy “Commissariat for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies” (CEA) is inundated with requests. As a specialist in “past climate change,” she has already won numerous awards and was ranked by Time magazine as one of […] continue reading →
Nuclear energy: Poland demands EU support
After the meeting of eleven EU countries on nuclear energy, the Polish government is demanding financial support from the EU Commission for the construction of new nuclear power plants. “Not only renewable energies and networks should be able to be financed from European funds, but also nuclear energy,” said Poland’s Energy Minister Anna Moskwa yesterday […] continue reading →
Due diligence: lawsuit against Total rejected
It was the first lawsuit filed under France’s supply chain law: NGOs, led by Friends of the Earth France, sued energy company TotalEnergies in 2019 for violating due diligence on an oil pipeline project in Uganda. On Tuesday, they hoped for a landmark ruling after three years of litigation. But the Paris court declared the […] continue reading →
Macron puts partnership at the forefront of Africa strategy
President Emmanuel Macron unveiled France’s new political and military strategy for Africa on Monday evening. “Africa is our partner,” the French leader said. Macron, who will be on the road in Central Africa from Wednesday, followed up directly on his 2017 Ouagadougou speech with this statement when he said “Françafrique” was a thing of the […] continue reading →
Faeser wants to distribute refugees better
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for a fairer distribution of refugees from Ukraine within the EU. “Should there be another large-scale flight movement from Ukraine, the refugees in Europe must be better distributed,” Faeser told Bild am Sonntag. “In doing so, our Eastern European neighbors, in particular, should be relieved. So far, Poland […] continue reading →
Thousands protest against planned pension reform in France
Once again, thousands have taken to the streets in numerous French cities in protest against the planned pension reform. There were rallies on Tuesday, for example, in Bordeaux, Rennes, Montpellier, and Toulouse. At the same time, there were also strikes again – such as on the railroads, in schools, and in the energy sector.France’s centrist […] continue reading →
France changes its strategy for decarbonizing industry
The French government's policy to decarbonize industry has failed for the time being. Only four of 19 industrial sectors have published their legally required roadmap to net zero. But instead of sanctions, there will now be monetary compensation for the companies. continue reading →
Why France’s pension debate is so vehement
Living like God in France. This view of Germany's neighbor probably has something to do with the country's very generous pension system. This is the second time President Macron dared to reform the pension system – and despite protests, he could go through with it this time. continue reading →