Nicolas Sarkozy
Photo: European People's Party, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Sep 28
French prosecutors seek four-year sentence for Rachida Dati in Renault corruption trial
Financial prosecutors in Paris requested a four-year sentence with two years firm against Rachida Dati over consulting fees from Renault-Nissan. Former executive Carlos Ghosn faces an identical term, with the court reserving its verdict until 21 January 2027.
- Sep 20
Ségolène Royal faces reprimand after calling rival Raphaël Glucksmann an intern in French primary
The French social-democratic primary organizing commission issued a formal warning to Ségolène Royal on 21 September 2026 after she labelled frontrunner Raphaël Glucksmann an intern, prompting sharp counterattacks.
- Sep 16
Rachida Dati stands trial in Paris over 900,000-euro Renault-Nissan fees
Former French minister Rachida Dati appeared before the Paris Criminal Court on 16 September 2026, facing charges of passive corruption and influence peddling tied to 900,000 euros in fees from Renault-Nissan.
- Sep 5
Rachida Dati obtains judiciary post ahead of Paris corruption trial over Renault dealings
Former French justice minister Rachida Dati has secured a post in the central justice administration just days before facing trial in Paris for alleged corruption involving Renault.
- Aug 31
Former French Prime Minister Édouard Balladur dies in Paris at 97
Édouard Balladur, who served as French prime minister from 1993 to 1995 during a period of cohabitation under President François Mitterrand, died in Paris on 31 August 2026.
- Aug 27
Xavier Bertrand confirms 2027 French presidential bid as an independent candidate
Hauts-de-France regional president Xavier Bertrand confirmed his plans to contest the 2027 French presidential election during the Medef business conference, ruling out any participation in a centre-right primary.
- Aug 24
Belgian satirist and pie thrower Noël Godin dies in Brussels at age 80
Belgian writer, film critic, and anarchist humorist Noël Godin, widely known as 'l'Entarteur' for targeting public figures with cream pies, died in Brussels on 23 August 2026.
- Aug 22
French Socialists set October primary rules as Hollande and Bouamrane bypass internal vote
The French Socialist Party and Place Publique scheduled candidate registration for 1 to 15 September ahead of an October primary, while François Hollande and Karim Bouamrane announced separate plans.
- Jul 5
Édouard Philippe launches 2027 presidential bid with Paris rally, casting himself as the unifying right‑centre candidate
The former prime minister drew about 5,000 supporters to the Adidas Arena on 5 July, unveiling his "Croire en nous" slogan and a programme centred on children, schools, and public‑finance discipline.
- Jul 5
Twin bombings near Macron's Damascus hotel wound 18; French president presses on with Syria visit
Two improvised bombs detonated near the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, wounding 18 people including four police officers, as French President Emmanuel Macron began the second day of his landmark visit to Syria. Macron, who had already left for the presidential palace, was unharmed and vowed to continue his trip.
- 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 12
Former first lady Bernadette Chirac remembered at Paris funeral as political and cultural figures gather at Saint-Clotilde
Two former presidents, current and past premiers, and celebrities joined family at the Sainte-Clotilde basilica on Friday to mourn Bernadette Chirac, who died at 93.
- Jun 6
Bernadette Chirac, former French first lady and political force in her own right, dies at 93
The widow of Jacques Chirac spent 12 years at the Élysée Palace while building an independent political career in Corrèze and turning a children's hospital charity into a national institution.
- May 27
Sarkozy's defence brands Libyan funding case a 'grotesque novel' as Paris appeal trial concludes
Lawyers for Nicolas Sarkozy launched a blistering attack on the prosecution's case as the appeal trial over alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign drew to a close in Paris on Wednesday.
