- 4d ago
France legalises assisted dying: National Assembly votes 291-241 for landmark end-of-life law
The National Assembly gave definitive approval on 15 July to a law allowing medically assisted suicide and, in limited cases, euthanasia for adults with incurable illnesses. The text now goes to the Constitutional Council.
- 4d ago
France adopts assisted dying law after years of debate, becoming sixth country to legalise euthanasia
The National Assembly gave final approval on 15 July with 291 votes for and 241 against, after a legislative battle that saw three Senate rejections.
- Jul 10
France activates first-ever Orsec 'extreme heat' plan as third heatwave pushes temperatures toward 40°C
Nine western departments were already under red alert on Friday, with 24 set to follow on Saturday, affecting 22.2 million people as the heatwave persists into next week.
- Jul 10
France lifts storm alert after tornado-like winds leave 53,000 without power and extensive damage across centre and east
A mini-tornado toppled two lorries on the A72 near Saint-Étienne, hail ignited a house fire in Haute-Savoie and a road worker was seriously hurt, as the most intense thunderstorm episode of the year swept France on 16 July. The orange vigilance was lifted early on 17 July while the heatwave receded to the south-east.
- Jul 7
France cuts 2026 growth forecast to 0.7% and announces €3bn in budget savings
The French government has revised its 2026 GDP growth projection down to 0.7% from 0.9%, citing a delayed budget and the Middle East conflict, and unveiled €3 billion in additional spending cuts to keep its deficit target on track.
- Jul 6
French parliament rejects heatwave no-confidence motion, Socialist leader isolated
The French National Assembly overwhelmingly rejected a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government on Monday, with only 132 deputies backing the Ecologist-led initiative over the June heatwave. The vote laid bare divisions within the Socialist Party, where First Secretary Olivier Faure supported the motion but a majority of his own deputies refused.
- Jul 2
Wildfires engulf southern France after record heatwave, 2,000 firefighters deployed and new heatwave looming
More than 2,000 firefighters are fighting multiple wildfires along France's Mediterranean coast, driven by strong winds and drought after a record-breaking heatwave, with authorities warning another extreme heat event is expected next week.
- Jun 30
Fifth heatwave of the year hits Portugal and France, bringing 43°C temperatures, 55 drownings and extreme fire risk
A severe heatwave, the fifth in Portugal this year, is forecast to push temperatures to 43°C, while France reports 55 drowning deaths since June 18, and Portuguese authorities warn of extreme fire danger and possible power outages.
- Jun 29
France ends record heatwave with over 1,000 dead, braces for new one as 30,000 air conditioners head to hospitals
After a 10-day heatwave that killed more than 1,000 people and saw Paris hit 42°C, Météo-France warns of a new bout of extreme heat this weekend. The government has ordered 30,000 air conditioners for hospitals and promised a new extreme-heat plan.
- Jun 28
Historic 11-day heatwave ends across France, leaving over 1,000 excess deaths and strained emergency services
After 11 days of record-breaking heat, France's canicule is finally receding, but health officials warn the worst effects may still be ahead with over 1,000 excess deaths already recorded.
- Jun 26
Record heatwave kills hundreds across Western Europe as Paris bans alcohol and hospitals overflow
A record-breaking heatwave has killed at least 212 people in Spain and dozens more across France, Italy and the UK, with temperatures shattering June records in Paris, London and Basel.
- Jun 25
Europe heatwave breaks temperature records and strains health services
More than 101 million people across Europe endured temperatures above 35°C on Thursday, with all-time June records falling in several countries; at least 212 deaths have been linked to the heat in Spain, and France activated its highest health emergency level.
- Jun 24
France detects first Ebola case from DRC outbreak, five contacts isolated
A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for Ebola, marking the first confirmed case of the virus on French soil linked to the ongoing outbreak. Health authorities isolated the patient immediately, identified five close contacts on his flight, and say the risk to the wider public remains low.
- Jun 21
France bans outdoor alcohol and closes 845 schools as extreme heatwave puts one-third of country on red alert
France declared a red heat alert for 35 departments on Sunday and banned alcohol consumption in public spaces during the Fête de la Musique festival, as a heatwave of exceptional intensity sweeps across Europe.
- Jun 20
France braces for red heatwave alert as 60 departments under orange warning, peak of 41°C forecast on Sunday
Sixty departments covering roughly 60% of the French population are under an orange heatwave alert this Saturday, with Météo-France warning of a probable escalation to red alert on Sunday as temperatures climb towards 41°C.
- Jun 17
French PM Lecornu orders random drug tests for cabinet staff and high officials
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu sent a circular to all ministers on June 16-17 demanding mandatory, unannounced saliva drug tests for cabinet members and senior officials, citing security risks and the need for exemplary conduct within the state.
- Jun 16
French spy agency DGSI to replace Palantir with local firm ChapsVision, citing digital sovereignty
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the switch on Tuesday, framing it as a necessary step to reduce strategic dependency on U.S. technology, following Washington's recent restriction of Anthropic's AI models for non-U.S. users.
- Jun 15
France rallies for 'integral law' after murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna
Thousands gathered at courthouses across France for a second Monday of protests, demanding a comprehensive law against sexual and gender-based violence following the killing of Lyhanna, 11.
- Jun 15
After Champions League victory celebrations turn violent, French PM Lecornu proposes a law to make rioters foot the bill
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on 14 June that a draft law will be presented in July, forcing those involved in violent public gatherings to cover repair costs. The move follows unrest that erupted after PSG's Champions League win.
- Jun 15
Braun-Pivet dismisses punitive proposals over Lyhanna case, urges comprehensive approach
The French National Assembly president argued that life sentences, imprescriptibility, and chemical castration would not protect children, advocating instead for sex education, better medical care, and improved information sharing about offenders.
