Emmanuel Macron

March 6, 2025 9:52 AM

Macron will open debate about extending French nuclear protection to European allies

France is open to discussing extending the protection offered by its nuclear arsenal to its European partners, President Emmanuel Macron said in a grave address to the nation on Wednesday, in which he warned that Europe must face up to the threat from Russia. France and Britain are Europe's only two nuclear powers. "Our nuclear deterrent protects us: it's complete, sovereign, French through and through," Macron said on Wednesday in his televised speech. "But, responding to the historic call o...

February 25, 2025 9:22 AM

Trump, Macron display stark differences on Ukraine despite friendly veneer

U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron displayed stark differences on Monday in their approach to Ukraine, exposing a divide between the United States and Europe over Trump's bid for a quick ceasefire deal with Russia. During a day of talks between the two leaders, Trump and Macron showed a friendly rapport based on years of good ties. But Macron made clear he disagreed with Trump on some key issues as they marked three years since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022....

February 18, 2025 10:53 AM

Europe talks up more defence spending as Ukraine peacekeeper plan divides

European leaders meeting in Paris for emergency talks on Monday called for higher spending to ramp up the continent's defence capabilities but remained split on the idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine to back up any peace deal. The leaders also agreed it would be dangerous to conclude a Ukraine ceasefire without a peace agreement at the same time, and that they were ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine "depending on the level of American support," a European official said. "...

February 11, 2025 9:33 AM

PM Modi receives warm welcome from Macron ahead of AI Summit in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris, expressing enthusiasm for the AI Action Summit, which the two leaders will co-chair. Macron also extended a warm greeting to United States Vice President JD Vance, who is attending the summit. Sharing a post on X, Macron wrote, "Welcome to Paris, my friend @NarendraModi! Nice to meet you dear @VP Vance! Welcome to all our partners for the AI Action Summit. Let's get to work!" Earlier, PM Modi had posted on X, "Deli...

February 11, 2025 2:48 AM

PM Modi attends dinner hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, where the two leaders engaged in discussions over a formal dinner. Macron greeted PM Modi with a heartfelt hug upon his arrival, underscoring the strong personal rapport between them. The meeting reflects the deepening strategic partnership between India and France, with key topics such as defence cooperation, technological innovation, and artificial intelligence on the agenda. ...

December 4, 2024 10:58 AM

French lawmakers brace for more turmoil as no-confidence vote looms

French lawmakers will vote on Wednesday on no-confidence motions which are all but certain to oust the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, deepening the political crisis in the euro zone's second-largest economy. Barring a last-minute surprise, Barnier's will be the first French government to be forced out by a no-confidence vote in more than 60 years, at a time when the country is struggling to tame a massive budget deficit. The debate is due to start at 4 p.m. (1500 GMT), wit...

September 16, 2024 5:07 PM

Olympics-Games’ opening ceremony starts under watchful eye of security forces

The Olympics' opening ceremony began in Paris on Friday by depicting a fictional scenario in which the arrival of theOlympic flame goes awry, ahead of an extravagant show on the river Seine that will kick off the summer Games. French soccer superstar Zinedine Zidane was shown running across Paris to bring the flame, in a pre-recorded video that included him taking it onto the metro. A huge police force was on display in Paris, just hours after a sabotage attack on the high-speed TGV rail netwo...

July 9, 2024 5:16 PM

French left wants to rule but centrists demand a role

said they intended to govern according to their tax-and-spend programme, but centrists laid claim to a role as the left lacks a majority. The unexpected outcome of the snap election has plunged France into uncertainty just before the Paris Olympics, with no obvious path to a stable government capable of getting any legislation passed by a fragmented parliament. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats in the National Assembly but fell short of an absolute majority by about 100 ...

July 8, 2024 11:19 AM

France election: Policy paralysis looms as left gains and far right stumbles

France faced a hung parliament and the prospect of taxing negotiations starting Monday to form a government, after a surprise left-wing surge blockedç's quest to bring the far right to power. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the dominant force in the National Assembly after Sunday's election, but with no single group securing a working majority the possibilities include the NFP forming a minority government or the building of a broad, unwieldy coalition. The result delivered a s...

July 4, 2024 12:09 PM

As France votes, Europe holds its breath

When President Emmanuel Macron shocked France last month by calling a snap election, he was gambling with the future of Europe as well as his own country. While much depends on the second round of voting on Sunday, it already seems clear that Macron's role as a driver of European integration will be significantly diminished. The two most likely scenarios – a government led by the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen or a hung parliament – would present unprecedented challenges fo...