Fillon camp defies President Hollande over planned Paris demo
A planned demonstration in support of Francois Fillon will be an “important moment” in France’s presidential race, a lawmaker backing the scandal-hit candidate said, and...
President Francois Hollande
Crime serial beats French president off prime-time TV podium
President Francois Hollande’s efforts to win over French voters on prime-time TV on Thursday generated few newspaper headlines, criticism on social networks, and a million...
France rejects asylum request by Wikileaks founder Assange
By Ingrid Melander and Dominique Vidalon France swiftly rejected on Friday a request for asylum by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The founder of the transparency...
Amid cries of blackmail, glimmers of Greek debt hope emerge (update 2)
By Renee Maltezou and Jan Strupczewski Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accused international creditors of “blackmail” on Friday after euro zone partners warned Athens it...
Party vote gives France’s Hollande boost, fends off rebels’ challenge
By Ingrid Melander and Emmanuel Jarry Socialist party members backed French President Francois Hollande’s policies in an internal party vote, boosting his chances of standing...
Hollande vows to push on with reform despite French teacher strike
By Ingrid Melander and Sophie Louet Thousands of teachers went on strike across France on Tuesday to protest against new measures aimed at revamping the...
France lifts defence budget to tackle multiple threats
By John Irish and Elizabeth Pineau France will increase its defence budget by 3.8 billion euros ($4.2 billion) over four years from 2016 to ensure...
Thousands join protests, strikes against French cutbacks (Update 3)
By Brian Love and Gerard Bon Tens of thousands took to the streets in towns and cities across France on Thursday in union-led protests against...
French local election tests far-right strength, Sarkozy comeback (Update 1)
By Ingrid Melander France’s far-right National Front is expected to strengthen its hold on grassroots politics in a second round of local elections on Sunday...
Sarkozy denies far-right Le Pen victory in French polls
By Andrew Callus Former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party and their allies won the first round of French local elections on Sunday, denying Marine...
Ukraine peace summit overshadowed by some of war’s worst fighting
By Aleksandar Vasovic The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine were due to attend a peace summit on Wednesday, but Ukraine’s pro-Moscow separatists diminished...
German, French leaders head for Moscow to press for Ukraine peace
By Timothy Heritage and Richard Balmforth The leaders of Germany and France are expected to take peace proposals to Moscow on Friday on the second...
German, French leaders take Ukraine peace plan to Moscow (Update 5)
By Richard Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk The leaders of Germany and France announced a new peace plan for Ukraine on Thursday, flying to Kiev with...
French police arrest eight in anti-jihadi operation
By Emmanuel Jarry and John Irish French anti-terrorism police arrested eight people on Tuesday on suspicion of being part of a network linked to recruiting...
Paris police arrest 12 linked to shootings as US’ Kerry arrives
By Andrew Callus Police arrested a dozen people suspected of helping the Islamist militant gunmen in last week’s Paris killings, the city prosecutor’s office said...
Hollande reassures Muslims, demands respect for French values
By Elizabeth Pineau President Francois Hollande assured Muslims in France and abroad on Thursday that his country respected them and their religion but would not...
Kerry to give ‘big hug’ to Paris after militant attacks
By Arshad Mohammed and Tsvetelia Tsolova US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday his visit to France was to give a “big hug”...
France’s Le Pen sees consequences from Charlie Hebdo peace march ban
By Nicholas Vinocur A move by France’s ruling Socialists to ban the far-right National Front from a peace march for Charlie Hebdo shooting victims may...
French forces kill newspaper attack suspects, hostages die in second siege
By Mark John, Ingrid Melander and John Irish Two brothers wanted for a bloody attack on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo were...
France’s last hostage returns home celebrating freedom
By Alexandria Sage France’s last hostage abroad returned home on Wednesday after three years in captivity and was welcomed by President Francois Hollande who warned...