Latest France government News
As France reels from alleged rape of a Jewish girl, antisemitism comes to fore in election campaign
PARIS (AP) — The alleged rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in a suspected antisemitic attack has sent shockwaves throughout France and thrust concerns about antisemitism to the forefront of campaigning for the country’s legislative elections. The anti-immigration National Rally...
Macron and African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron joined several African leaders on Thursday to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa, after the coronavirus pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. The launch of the African...
French prime minister seeks to step out from Macron's shadow in the upcoming early election
LE PECQ, France (AP) — Thrust into an early election sprung by his boss, France’s prime minister hopes to emerge from the campaign not only still holding the job that President Emmanuel Macron gave him less than six months ago but also as more of his own person. The 35-year-old...
2 French boys are accused of raping a 12-year-old Jewish girl in an act of antisemitism
PARIS (AP) — Two adolescent boys in a Paris suburb have been given preliminary charges of raping a 12-year-old girl and religion-motivated violence, French authorities said Wednesday. A Jewish leader said the girl is Jewish. The attack elicited widespread shock and concern,...
EU criticizes France for excessive debt, putting pressure on Macron during election campaign
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive arm on Wednesday criticized France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of an election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong challenge from the extreme right and the left. The EU...
Far-right leader Bardella backpedals on taking France out of NATO strategic military command
VILLEPINTE, France (AP) — The far-right leader angling to become prime minister after France’s upcoming parliamentary election backtracked Wednesday on his party’s previous promise to pull out of NATO’s strategic military command. National Rally President Jordan Bardella said...
EU leaders break off talks on top job nominees without result
BRUSSELS (AP) — Leaders of European Union countries reached no final agreement on candidates for the bloc's top jobs Monday, but several praised the record of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and she appeared on track to secure their endorsement later this month for a second...
France captain Kylian Mbappé urges young people to vote, warns against 'extremes' ahead of elections
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — On the eve of France's first game at the European Championship, star striker Kylian Mbappé called Sunday on French people to vote and warned against “extremes” at a time when the far right seeks to take power in upcoming parliamentary elections. ...
French protesters are standing up to the far right ahead of the country's snap elections
PARIS (AP) — Anti-racism groups joined French unions and a brand-new left-wing coalition in protests in Paris and across France on Saturday against the surging nationalist far right as frenzied campaigning is underway ahead of snap parliamentary elections. The French Interior...
France's leftist alliance leaders vow to 'extinguish the flame' of far right in upcoming elections
PARIS (AP) — Leaders of France’s left-wing parties allied in a new coalition and outlined their plan on Friday to prevent the surging far right from taking power in upcoming snap national parliamentary elections. Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration National Rally is also seeking...
