Macron gives ground to allies in unpopular pension reform bidPresident Emmanuel Macron's government on Sunday offered a concession on contested French pension reforms, seeking to shore up support from prospective right-wing allies ahead of the parliamentary debate.
Will raising retirement age solve France’s problem with employing seniors?A quarter of France's unemployed are over the age of 50, and there are concerns that raising the retirement age – as the government wants to do with its latest pension reform – will further aggravate the problem. But research suggests this may not necessarily happen, and the number of older people Read More
What to expect from Tuesday's strike in FranceFebruary 7th marks the third day of mass strike action in the ongoing battle between the French government and unions over pension reform. From planes and trains to school, ski lifts and power cuts - here's what to expect on Tuesday.
Where does the 'romantic, sexy French' stereotype come from?One of the most enduring stereotypes about the French is that they are romantic, charming, seductive and just downright sexy. We know this label can't possibly apply to an entire nation - but where does the image come from? And how do the French themselves feel about it?
Burkina junta chief denies diplomatic split from FranceBurkina Faso's junta leader said on Friday his country had not severed diplomatic ties with France, which he has asked to withdraw its forces, and denied Russian Wagner mercenaries were in the country.
France to send missile systems to UkraineFrance and Italy have agreed to deliver mobile surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine, the French defence ministry said on Friday.
What changes in France in February 2023?From the carnival of lemons and pancake day to rising bills for homes and drivers and - of course - strikes, here is what is on the agenda for February 2023 in France.
ANALYSIS: Who is winning the battle over French pension reform?As the French government and unions continue their increasingly bitter struggle over pension reform, John Lichfield looks at who is winning the battle for public opinion and which side will back down first.
Inside France: Dossiers, dentures and the trauma of French deportationsFrom the darkest period of France's history to the increasingly weird discourse around pensions, via sex and bureaucracy, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.
France hopes to replace Notre-Dame's spire by the end of 2023Notre-Dame cathedral, badly damaged by fire in 2019, should reopen by the end of 2024, according to France's Culture Ministry – too late for the Paris Olympics. The cathedral's distrinctive spire should nonetheless be back in place by the end of this year.
Pension reform in France: Does Emmanuel Macron's proposal penalise women?France arguably has one of Europe's most generous retirement systems. As a case in point, over one million people have already protested Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform plan. As lawmakers and experts begin debating the text, some economists argue it will further deepen the gender pension gap. We also take a Read More
Paris bakers bounce back with sharp rise in number of city boulangeriesIf you’ve convinced yourself that the delicious and tempting aroma of baking bread seems a little more pronounced in Paris then your scent suspicions are accurate, according to new figures showing a strong growth in the number of boulangeries in the capital.
France's nuclear energy future tabled at Elysée Palace talksEmmanuel Macron has convened a meeting with his nuclear policy advisors to keep up with the pace of the accelerated revival of the industry, coming one year after the French head of state announced the need for a new direction regarding atomic power in the face of energy and climate Read More
@mrjamesob So Johnson now thinks Ukraine should join the EU. Presumably to help them recover from the war with Russia. Yet he opposes the UK joining to help us recover from Brexit. Johnson really hates Britain, doesn’t he? The Riviera Reporter Retweeted
@DavidGauke@NewStatesman All Johnson had to do was to recognise almost half the electorate wanted to remain, so go for a Swiss style deal, a Single Market deal, that recognised the referendum but placated half of the UK electorate and benefited businesses, jobs, and our need for a close EU... The Riviera Reporter Retweeted
Netanyahu visits France amid spike in Middle East tensionsIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with France’s president, business leaders and members of France’s Jewish community during a trip to Paris starting Thursday that has angered Palestinian supporters amid a new spasm of violence in the Mideast.
War of words marks 80th anniversary of Russian victory in StalingradAs Russian President Vladimir Putin attends World War II commemorations in southern Russia, on the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in Stalingrad, Europe continues to support Ukraine in the war against Russian invaders.
French Foreign Minister visits Mideast in bid to reinforce regional friendshipsFrench Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is in Riyadh this Thursday as part of a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to strengthen partnerships in the Middle East amid regional and international instability.
France's contested pension reform bill headed for parliamentary debateA French parliamentary commission ended its examination of the government’s contested pension reform bill on Wednesday evening without having reached the end of the text because of thousands of proposed amendments. The original text is to be debated in the full chamber starting Monday.
Pension reform poses biggest challenge to Macron’s legacy as a reformerA feeling of déjà vu pervaded the French capital on Monday as hundreds of thousands of protesters unfurled their posters and strikes paralysed public transport in opposition to the government’s announced pension reform. The proposed changes, a cornerstone of Macron's reform agenda but also a high-stakes test of his reputation Read More
Ukraine lauds French gift of radar system as 'cherry on the cake'Ukraine's defence minister said Wednesday that Ukrainian lives will be saved by a sophisticated air-defence radar that France is supplying and which is powerful enough to spot incoming missiles and exploding drones in the skies over all of Ukraine's capital and its surrounding region. Read our live blog to see how Read More