- 5d ago
French prosecutors accept court's Le Pen embezzlement ruling, will not appeal to highest court
The Paris prosecutor's office announced on 15 July it will not challenge the appellate ruling that handed Marine Le Pen a three-year prison sentence and a 15-month public-office ban for misusing EU parliamentary funds.
- 5d ago
Musk endorses Le Pen as 'France's last hope', drawing accusations of foreign interference
The X owner called the far-right leader 'France's last hope' on Wednesday, prompting the French foreign minister to urge him to reconsider and lawmakers to demand scrutiny of platform algorithms.
- 5d ago
Attal's Renaissance party sues Le Pen and National Rally for trademark infringement over campaign slogan
Gabriel Attal's Renaissance party filed a lawsuit against Marine Le Pen and the National Rally on Wednesday, alleging the far-right candidate's new campaign poster slogan 'For France, the Renaissance' constitutes trademark counterfeiting and unfair competition.
- Jul 12
Le Pen holds dominant 34-35.5% lead in 2027 French presidential poll, Mélenchon closes in on second-round spot
An Elabe poll for BFMTV and La Tribune Dimanche places the National Rally leader at 34 to 35.5% in the first round, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon edging closer to Edouard Philippe for the second qualifying place.
- Jul 11
Rajoy's 'no Frenchmen' column on France's World Cup team ignites cross-border political storm before Spain-France semifinal
Former Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy's column saying France's World Cup squad plays 'without Frenchmen' has been condemned as racist by both French and Spanish officials, overshadowing tonight's Spain-France semifinal.
- Jul 10
EU warns Meta over 'addictive' Facebook and Instagram design, threatening multibillion-dollar fine
The European Commission has issued a stark warning to Meta, stating that the 'addictive' design of Facebook and Instagram may violate EU digital rules and demanding changes to protect children and teens.
- Jul 8
Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign in La Fleche after court upholds conviction but permits candidacy
Marine Le Pen officially launched her presidential campaign in La Fleche on Wednesday, a day after an appeals court upheld her embezzlement conviction but shortened her ban on running for office, drawing both cheers and jeers from the crowd.
- Jul 8
Vox leader Abascal breaks with Trump over Meloni jabs, citing ally treatment
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain's far-right Vox, has publicly rebuked Donald Trump for mocking Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marking his first direct criticism of the US president and signalling a strategic pivot for the party.
- Jul 7
Paris court reduces Le Pen's public office ban, opening door to 2027 presidential bid
A Paris appeals court upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for misusing EU funds but shortened her ban on holding public office, potentially allowing the far-right leader to contest the 2027 presidential election.
- Jul 7
French court to rule on Marine Le Pen's presidential bid as appeal verdict looms
The Paris Court of Appeal will announce whether Marine Le Pen can run for president in 2027, after her conviction for misusing EU funds. The ruling, expected around 1:30 p.m., could end her political career or clear her path to the Élysée.
- Jul 5
Paris court to rule on Marine Le Pen's eligibility for the 2027 presidential election
The Paris Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on Tuesday in the EU funds trial that could bar Marine Le Pen from the 2027 presidential race.
- Jul 5
Jean-Luc Mélenchon urges boycott of France Culture morning show over fake audio, Radio France defends independence
Jean-Luc Mélenchon has called on guests to avoid France Culture's morning show after a manipulated audio clip falsely portrayed him as making anti-Semitic remarks. Radio France responded by defending its independence and noting the journalist involved was sanctioned.
- Jul 4
Marine Le Pen launches 2027 presidential bid after appeal conviction, as top court warns ruling could land just before the vote
A day after a Paris appeals court convicted her of embezzling public funds, Marine Le Pen declared her 2027 presidential candidacy and hit the campaign trail, while the Court of Cassation said it might rule on her final appeal only weeks before the election.
- Jul 3
ECB's Lagarde refuses to rule out early exit to join French presidential debate
ECB President Christine Lagarde said it was 'possible' she could step down before her term ends in October 2027 to inject a 'European voice' into France's presidential debate, reviving speculation about an early departure.
- Jun 30
EU prosecutors raid multiple countries in probe of €4.3m misuse by Le Pen’s old parliamentary group
Coordinated searches in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium target the former Identity and Democracy group, whose members included Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, as the Paris appeal court prepares a pivotal eligibility ruling on 7 July.
- Jun 30
French Socialists split over primary rules as Mélenchon rallies far-left allies for 2027 presidential bid
The Socialist Party failed to agree on a single candidate selection method, sending two rival proposals to a July 9 member vote, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon consolidates support from the far left and parts of the Greens and Communists.
- Jun 26
Teen beaten to death in Narbonne ambush; five arrested, victim had reported earlier violence
Louis, a 17-year-old placed in a youth welfare facility in Narbonne, was beaten by five young people on 19 June and died four days later. The attack, filmed and shared on social media, has sparked deep emotion across France.
- Jun 24
France reconsiders air conditioning as record heatwave matches 2003 intensity and breaks political taboos
A record-breaking early summer heatwave, comparable to the deadly 2003 event, has forced France and its political class to abandon long-held resistance to air conditioning, with parties from the far right to the Greens now accepting its role in protecting the vulnerable.
- Jun 21
Ten years after the Brexit vote, 63% of Britons want to rejoin the EU, but political and diplomatic barriers remain
A decade after the 2016 referendum, multiple surveys show a clear majority of British people now consider leaving the European Union a mistake and support rejoining, though UK politicians and EU diplomats remain cautious.
- Jun 16
France vs. Senegal: Star-studded attack faces 2002 ghost in World Cup opener
France launches its 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, pitting Kylian Mbappé's star-studded attack against the team that stunned Les Bleus in 2002.
