All posts tagged: Macron

The Macron method: How to deal with Putin’s Russia? – The Debate

The Macron method: How to deal with Putin’s Russia? – The Debate

Here’s one for free speech absolutists to chew on: What should the French government do when the former head of Russian state television’s French-language channel is offered a place of rank on an all-news station with a free-to-air broadcast license and she touts Kremlin propaganda lines with little or no pushback or fact-checking? Introducing Xenia Fedorova, who’s just had her 10-year residency permit approved and who’s become the darling of far-right shipping magnate-turned-media mogul Vincent Bolloré, the same Bolloré who’s swooped for French TV, radio, print and publishing outlets. Source link

Le sommet Choose France a-t-il un avenir après Macron ?

Le sommet Choose France a-t-il un avenir après Macron ?

PARIS — Comme chaque année depuis 2018, quelques centaines de dirigeants d’entreprise triés sur le volet défileront, lundi, entre la galerie des Glaces, la galerie des Batailles et les jardins du château de Versailles. Au programme, avant un grand dîner mitonné par un chef étoilé : des milliards d’investissements pour un montant record, des “speed-datings” entre PDG et membres du gouvernement, une keynote de Thomas Pesquet et, probablement pour la dernière fois de cette présidence, la traditionnelle allocution d’Emmanuel Macron. Sauf surprise, le président ne pourra pas organiser de dernier sommet au printemps 2027, quelques semaines avant de quitter l’Elysée — interrogé sur cette éventualité, le Palais ne se risque pas à répondre franchement et se contente d’affirmer que “la marque Choose France a encore de beaux jours devant elle”. C’est dire si le chef de l’Etat est attaché à cet événement, symbole d’une présidence qui se veut “pro-business”, ouverte aux capitaux étrangers, capable d’attirer Elon Musk, Carlos Slim, Lakshmi Mittal, Satya Nadella ou encore Jamie Dimon dans les salons de Versailles, comme Louis XIV …

Attal highlights break with Macron in first rally in French presidential bid – POLITICO

Attal highlights break with Macron in first rally in French presidential bid – POLITICO

His campaign mirrors the very successful campaign of centrist liberal Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in October 2025, which focused on optimism about the future and prioritizing the young generations, while exalting a sense of national pride. “My first promise is that we will once again become Europe’s leading power within six years. That is our rank, our place, our destiny,” he said, also vowing to make France the leading European country in artificial intelligence. Attal is following incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron as the presidential candidate of the centrist liberal Renaissance party, which he heads. After almost 10 years of Macron governments and dwindling popularity, Attal is seeking to distance himself from Macron to frame his candidacy as one of change and reform. The 37-year-old politician served as prime minister under Macron from January-September 2024. He was the youngest prime minister in French history and the first openly gay. The latest polls put Attal in fourth place at 13 percent of popular vote, preceded by far-right French Rally candidate Jordan Bardella, center-right Édouard Philippe, …

Norway joins France’s nuclear deterrence club – POLITICO

Norway joins France’s nuclear deterrence club – POLITICO

“Russia’s largest nuclear arsenal is located in the High North, just a few kilometers from Norway,” he said, adding that Norway would continue to primarily rely on NATO for its security. On March 2, the French president announced that Germany, Poland, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden had agreed to discuss nuclear cooperation with Paris. That could include joint nuclear drills, information sharing and, ultimately, the potential temporary deployment of French nuclear-capable Rafale fighter jets in allied countries — a concept the French called “forward nuclear deterrence.” Since then, highly classified talks about exactly what the cooperation will entail have already begun with some nations, two officials told POLITICO. On Wednesday, Paris and Oslo also signed a wide-ranging bilateral defense and security deal — dubbed the Narvik agreement — that includes a mutual assistance clause, more dialogue between their armed forces and cooperation on air defense, space and Arctic security, Macron said. In the past few years, the French president has sought to increase his country’s defense ties with Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland …

In Rare Phone Call, Macron Warns Belarus’ Lukashenko Against Directly Joining Ukraine War

In Rare Phone Call, Macron Warns Belarus’ Lukashenko Against Directly Joining Ukraine War

In their first direct contact since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron telephoned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to warn him against increasing his country’s engagement in the war, according to sources who spoke to AFP.   “[Macron] highlighted the risks Belarus will face if dragged into the war in Ukraine. He also called on Lukashenko to take necessary measures to improve relations between Belarus and Europe,” a source told AFP. Lukashenko let Russia use Belarus as a staging area for the 2022 invasion, and has continued to let Russia launch missile and drone strikes from Belarus over the more than three years of war.  Belarus let Russia use its territory as a staging ground for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia might be preparing to open a new front in the war, striking northern Ukraine and Kiev with heightened involvement of the Belarusian military. Zelensky’s warning came after Belarus announced its participation in three days of massive nuclear drills with Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the exercise …

Macron, EU’s Kallas condemn Russian attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik ballistic missile

Macron, EU’s Kallas condemn Russian attack on Ukraine with Oreshnik ballistic missile

Russia pounded Kyiv with a massive missile and drone attack that killed four people, authorities said Sunday, after President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Multiple rounds of loud explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital throughout the early hours of the morning, in a barrage the air force said involved 600 drones and 90 missiles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people had been killed in the capital and dozens wounded, while the head of the surrounding Kyiv region said two people had also been killed there. Russia launches massive missile strike on Kyiv To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Accept Manage my choices One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Try again © France 24 Air defences intercepted 549 of the drones and 55 missiles, the air force said. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had fired its nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik …

Pope Leo to visit France in September – POLITICO

Pope Leo to visit France in September – POLITICO

His trip to France, as well as a previously announced June visit to Spain, showcases the Vatican leader’s interest in building ties with secular Catholic countries in Europe. It will be the first papal visit to France in 18 years. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news Saturday, sharing on social media that “we are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his trip to France. This visit next September will be an honor for our country, a joy for Catholics, and a great moment of hope for everyone.” Macron visited the Vatican in April, where he extended once more the invitation from the president of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF), Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline. “It’s a great joy, but also a great responsibility,” said Aveline on Saturday. The pontiff will also travel to Lourdes, a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site in southwest France. Pope Leo is also scheduled to visit Spain in June, when he will meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid and also travel to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Source …

Macron allies deny Brigitte slapped French president over texts with Iranian actress – POLITICO

Macron allies deny Brigitte slapped French president over texts with Iranian actress – POLITICO

Speaking on RTL radio on Wednesday, Tardif alleged that President Macron maintained a “platonic relationship” with Farahani for several months. However, some exchanges — which Tardif said he was forwarded by people close to Macron — “went quite far,” the journalist said. Tardif said one message sent to Farahani said: “I find you very attractive.” Golshifteh Farahani attends the Grand Dîner du Louvre at Musee du Louvre on March 3, 2026 in Paris. | Aurore Marechal/Getty Images The Elysée, which initially called the reports of the slap fake news and later dismissed the incident as “horseplay,” has not given an official response. An individual close to the French president, also granted anonymity to discuss the matter, said Brigitte Macron’s team denies the allegations. President Macron himself said last year the ordeal had been blown out of proportion and he was “joking with [his] wife.” Still, however, the incident attracted much media attention worldwide. Even U.S. President Donald Trump joked about it last month. Farahani has previously shot down rumors of a relationship with Macron but …

France’s Macron announces bn investment in Africa at Kenya summit | News

France’s Macron announces $27bn investment in Africa at Kenya summit | News

The Africa Forward summit comes amid France’s fading ties with its former African colonies, as Kenya seeks greater trade. By Agence France Presse, AP and Reuters Published On 12 May 202612 May 2026 French President Emmanuel Macron has announced 23 billion euros ($27bn) of investment during the Africa Forward summit in Kenya. Macron said on Monday that Africa and France had a “partnership of equals” with common objectives, as he announced 14 billion euros ($16.4bn) of investments in private and public funds from French companies, and 9 billion euros ($10.5bn) from African ones, on energy transition, agriculture and artificial intelligence (AI). Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list These investments would create 250,000 jobs in France and Africa, Macron said at the two-day summit – France’s first in an English-speaking African country – which started on Monday. “We are not simply here to come and invest on the African continent alongside you – we need great African business leaders to come and invest in France,” he told the heads of state and leaders of …