Editorials

Editorial

The anti-vax offensive is poisoning American democracy

The politicization of science currently at play in the United States marks a dangerous step backward for a country where many of the vaccines that are now under attack were, in fact, originally developed.

Published yesterday at 12:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

In turbulent times, the danger of the far right looms

Despite its own shortcomings and shifting positions on a range of issues, the far-right Rassemblement National party has taken advantage of France's political crisis, exploiting the weaknesses and failures of its opponents.

Published on September 6, 2025, at 2:30 pm (Paris), updated yesterday at 12:22 pm Le Monde

Editorial

Europeans face a Sisyphean task with Trump over Ukraine

The 'coalition of the willing' has established a group of 26 countries ready to commit to Ukraine's security, and is hoping for concrete US support. The next step is to apply coordinated sanctions against Moscow.

Published on September 5, 2025, at 12:26 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Mercosur deal reveals Europe's double loss of influence

The agreement between the South American trade bloc and the European Union shows Europe's search for alternatives in the face of its weakened relationship with the United States. These alternatives come at a worrying price, particularly for the agricultural sector.

Published on September 4, 2025, at 12:34 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Xi Jinping at the center of his world

The Chinese president has relished in a moment that placed him at the center of the world stage and promoted his vision of rebalancing the international order in the face of the US, an increasingly unpredictable superpower.

Published on September 3, 2025, at 12:44 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

What is Israel trying to hide by imposing a media blackout on Gaza?

By banning the press from accessing the Palestinian territory and waging the deadliest war against journalists in the history of armed conflicts, Israel is destroying press freedom, with little reaction from the United States or the European Union.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 12:09 pm (Paris), updated on September 1, 2025, at 12:34 pm Le Monde

Editorial

France's political instability puts Franco-German alliance to the test

At a joint meeting of cabinet ministers in Toulon on Friday, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz pledged to overcome their two countries' disagreements on the most sensitive issues. However, the lack of concrete progress is worrying, given both leaders' politically weakened positions.

Published on August 30, 2025, at 2:55 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

France: Compromising on a budget is necessary to avoid spiraling debt

Whatever mistakes Prime Minister François Bayrou may have made in his approach, political parties and labor unions must pull themselves together and resist the temptation to defend their own interests at all costs.

Published on August 29, 2025, at 2:31 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Iranian nuclear issue requires urgent diplomatic action

European countries, which have remained committed to the 2015 nuclear agreement but saw it dismantled by Donald Trump during his first term, must decide by the end of August whether to reinstate international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.

Published on August 28, 2025, at 2:54 pm (Paris), updated on August 28, 2025, at 2:55 pm Le Monde

Editorial

Trump's dangerous power play against the Fed

By announcing the dismissal of US Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, Donald Trump has called into question the independence of the US central bank, a cornerstone of both American and global economic stability.

Published on August 27, 2025, at 11:32 am (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 11:35 am Le Monde

Editorial

French PM Bayrou's high-stakes gamble

By calling for a confidence vote in the Assemblée Nationale on September 8, François Bayrou took a risky bet that allowed him to remain true to his message of fiscal responsibility he has always championed, but he appears to be on shaky ground.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 12:51 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Gaza famine: Israel's impunity is bolstered by Washington

By distancing themselves from the declaration of famine conditions in the Gaza Strip and fiercely attacking the International Criminal Court, Donald Trump and his administration are offering unconditional support to the Israeli prime minister.

Published on August 25, 2025, at 11:57 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Global South: Trump is playing into China's hands

The erratic tariff policy pursued by the US president and his administration has so far mainly served to strengthen ties between countries in the Global South with Beijing, and, where relevant, Moscow.

Published on August 23, 2025, at 12:36 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French streamer's death: Dying live, a lucrative scandal

The death of Raphaël Graven, broadcast live on the Kick platform – where the humiliations he endured were watched by tens of thousands of internet users – serves as an urgent call to end the negligence of content hosting companies.

Published on August 22, 2025, at 1:06 pm (Paris), updated on August 23, 2025, at 10:19 am Le Monde

Editorial

Netanyahu's manipulation of antisemitism is unworthy

By pushing the idea that Jews around the world identify with his far-right policies, it is the Israeli prime minister himself who is fueling antisemitism, in France and elsewhere.

Published on August 21, 2025, at 12:23 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

France and Cameroon: Telling the necessary truth

By acknowledging that France waged a 'war' in Cameroon during decolonization, President Emmanuel Macron continues the necessary work of truth-telling that, from the genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda to the Algerian War, must fill the gaps of amnesia – and even lies – that still weigh on French society and diplomacy.

Published on August 20, 2025, at 11:40 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

War in Ukraine: An essential but largely unproductive meeting in Washington

The European leaders who gathered Monday at the White House alongside Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky left with vague promises of US support but no guarantees of a breakthrough to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Published on August 19, 2025, at 11:07 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

In Serbia, a strategy of fear

The sudden use of violence by provocateurs against the nine-month-long Serbian student protest movement bodes ill for President Aleksandar Vucic's ambition to join the European Union.

Published on August 18, 2025, at 6:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

After the Trump-Putin summit, Europe must make a move

Aside from Vladimir Putin's rehabilitation on the international stage, the Alaska summit produced no tangible results. Now, faced with a fait accompli, Europeans must respond firmly.

Published on August 16, 2025, at 3:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

New Caledonia: Agreement on French overseas territory's future returns to the drawing board

While the draft agreement would allow the creation of a 'State of New Caledonia,' enshrined in the Constitution, as well as a Caledonian nationality, it was rejected by some Indigenous representatives.

Published on August 14, 2025, at 12:59 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Trump's incoherent China policy

The American president's lack of a clear strategy for dealing with China, especially in trade matters, has sown confusion among Washington's partners and played into Beijing's hands.

Published on August 13, 2025, at 12:42 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Trump inserts himself into the South Caucasus

The US president skillfully capitalized on two years of dialogue between Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, backing the draft agreement they reached on August 8 in Washington.

Published on August 12, 2025, at 12:51 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Ukraine: Avoiding the trap of the Russia-US summit in Alaska

At first glance, the August 15 meeting with Donald Trump looks promising for Vladimir Putin. Kyiv's European allies have three days to convince the US that only pressure on Moscow can shift things in the right direction.

Published on August 11, 2025, at 12:02 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Gaza: Stopping Benjamin Netanyahu's tragic escalation

The Israeli prime minister's decision to ignore the opposition of the top military leadership, who warned him about the heavy consequences of an occupation, marks a serious rupture.

Published on August 9, 2025, at 11:32 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The Duplomb Law's partial blocking affirms a healthy environment as a constitutional right

Clearly motivated by health data and the current state of the law, the landmark decision by France's Constitutional Council sends a message to lawmakers: They cannot act without safeguards when it comes to the health of the French people.

Published on August 8, 2025, at 12:28 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The imperative of reversing Africa's democratic drift

The decline of democracy in Africa has many causes. Among them are France's serious ambiguities, its readiness to endorse despots considered friends and its tendency to reduce democracy to the holding of elections, even rigged ones.

Published on August 7, 2025, at 12:38 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The urgent need to halt plastic pollution

Reaching a first-ever global treaty to tackle plastic pollution is crucial. Yet, countries remain divided on how to confront this scourge, as plastic waste devastates the planet and poses threats to human health.

Published on August 6, 2025, at 2:57 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The only solution for Gaza and the hostages? International pressure

Former Israeli security officials' decision to call on Donald Trump to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that nothing can be expected from Israel's coalition government and that international mobilization is the only way to force Netanyahu to change course.

Published on August 5, 2025, at 11:45 am (Paris), updated on August 5, 2025, at 11:46 am Le Monde

Editorial

Ukraine's commendable democratic pushback against corruption

Facing public pressure, Ukrainian lawmakers restored the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies. Rolling back these reforms would betray frontline soldiers' sacrifice and jeopardize Ukraine’s hopes of joining the EU.

Published on August 4, 2025, at 11:56 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The encouraging response to France's initiative to recognize Palestine

In the face of Israel's intransigence, the French initiative puts politics back on the table, when the lack of any prospects has fueled extremism for years. But there is no guarantee that this momentum will bear fruit.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 11:31 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Japan's political fragilization

The ruling coalition's loss of a majority in the House of Councillors in the July 20 elections and the breakthrough of the ultra-conservative Sanseito party have triggered an unprecedented crisis.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

European automakers stuck in an impasse

By prioritizing short-term profits, European car companies have fallen significantly behind in the transition to electric vehicles, and now face both rising competition from Chinese firms and tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

Published on July 31, 2025, at 6:26 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati's dangerous game

The space the minister has carved out for herself by being both popular and disruptive is undeniable. But some lines should not be crossed, to avoid undermining the rule of law.

Published on July 30, 2025, at 5:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French PM risks reaching breaking point with unions

With his actions triggering labor union pushback, François Bayrou is losing support from the partners he needs to achieve his goal of increasing the volume of work in the French economy.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 11:53 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

EU-US trade deal: A bittersweet compromise for the EU

In exchange for the 15% tax announced on July 27, the European Commission and EU businesses are clinging to the hope that the economy will stabilize. In reality, however, they have no assurance whatsoever.

Published on July 28, 2025, at 10:16 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

The logic behind recognizing Palestine

As the destruction of Gaza nears completion and the Israeli government works to normalize ethnic cleansing, inaction and delay are no longer acceptable.

Published on July 26, 2025, at 12:46 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Faced with China, Europe is weak

In Beijing on Thursday, European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa could only observe their host's power and the deep commercial and diplomatic divisions that now separate the continent from China.

Published on July 25, 2025, at 11:41 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Outrage at Gaza's destruction is no longer enough

Adding famine and thirst to violence, Israel's years-long siege of the Palestinian enclave now demands responses proportionate to the scale of the ongoing carnage – namely sanctions, whether political, diplomatic, economic or cultural.

Published on July 24, 2025, at 12:35 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

In the US, the relentless engine of conspiracy theories

With the latest twists in the Epstein affair, Donald Trump now faces the 'alternative facts' and conspiracy theories that he himself fueled and exploited.

Published on July 23, 2025, at 11:45 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Anti-pesticide petition: An unprecedented grassroots movement

The petition against the bill, which rolls back environmental measures, has gathered more than 1.5 million signatures in just 10 days, highlighting a genuine surge in environmental awareness and determination to have an impact when public health is at stake.

Published on July 22, 2025, at 12:58 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French defense industry faces challenge of ramping up production

With the shift to a war economy requiring mass production and regular output within tight deadlines, France's industrial sector must transform, on both a qualitative and quantitative level.

Published on July 21, 2025, at 12:49 pm (Paris), updated on August 29, 2025, at 4:53 pm Le Monde

Editorial

The EU must assert itself in its trade relationship with the US

The European Union's strategy of absorbing American provocations without activating the retaliatory measures at its disposal has shown its limitations.

Published on July 19, 2025, at 12:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Israel's dangerous strategy in Syria

Benjamin Netanyahu seems to think that maintaining instability and humiliating countries with which Israel has not signed a peace treaty guarantees Israel's security. This is a highly risky gamble.

Published on July 18, 2025, at 2:54 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Trump's limited shift on Ukraine

The US president's decision to deliver weapons to Ukraine marks a welcome change, but it does not represent a complete reversal of his position toward Moscow.

Published on July 17, 2025, at 2:20 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French PM Bayrou prescribes a bitter pill for 2026 budget

The French prime minister unveiled a €43.8 billion plan to begin stabilizing France's public debt on Tuesday, July 15. For now, it appears to spare big corporations and remains vague about the contributions expected of highest earners.

Published on July 16, 2025, at 3:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

France: When defense imperatives meet budgetary realities

Emmanuel Macron is right to want to increase France's rearmament efforts, and to do so with European ambition. Unfortunately, the country's debt burden complicates this essential task.

Published on July 14, 2025, at 2:28 pm (Paris), updated on July 15, 2025, at 11:11 am Le Monde

Editorial

New Caledonia: A lesson in responsibility

The pro- and anti-independence groups who have taken the risk of supporting the creation of a 'State of New Caledonia' now face the challenge of convincing their respective bases, but they stand to gain much. The citizens of New Caledonia will play a crucial role in determining the future of the archipelago.

Published on July 13, 2025, at 3:18 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

French budget: Wealthy pensioners must contribute

With the prime minister preparing to unveil his main policy directions on Tuesday, asking retirees to help reduce deficits in an effort to regain control of France's public finances would not be out of place.

Published on July 12, 2025, at 5:19 pm (Paris), updated on July 19, 2025, at 2:05 pm Le Monde

Editorial

With Channel migration deal, France and UK show shared determination

The pilot project unveiled on Thursday reflects both governments' desire to test a solution for a problem that has strained their relations and led to the deaths of dozens of people each year.

Published on July 11, 2025, at 12:13 pm (Paris), updated on July 11, 2025, at 12:14 pm Le Monde

Editorial

The limits of Trump's tariff strategy

Unable to secure the bilateral agreements it wants, the US administration keeps postponing its ultimatums and altering the way it applies its tariffs. These repeated U-turns have seriously damaged its credibility and left international trade mired in uncertainty.

Published on July 10, 2025, at 11:20 am (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Macron's disappointing record on poverty

With France's poverty rate at an all-time high and inequalities approaching 1970s levels, it is urgent to implement long-term policies to combat school dropout rates, health disparities, and inadequate housing.

Published on July 8, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Between France and Britain, an indispensable entente cordiale

President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the United Kingdom, beginning Tuesday, takes place against the backdrop of challenges facing Europe due to the war in Ukraine and the uncertainties surrounding the Trump presidency.

Published on July 7, 2025, at 12:12 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Iran's shameful hostage diplomacy

Detained since 2022 under inhumane conditions by Tehran, French teachers Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are innocent − mere pawns in the desperate maneuvers of a dictatorial regime.

Published on July 6, 2025, at 11:00 pm (Paris), updated on July 7, 2025, at 11:06 am Le Monde

Editorial

United States: A budget bill with an exorbitant price tag

By increasing the debt by more than $3.3 trillion over the next decade, Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed Thursday by Congress, could permanently weaken the country's economy and further discourage the American working class.

Published on July 4, 2025, at 12:08 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

To tackle abuses in French schools, state oversight must be strengthened

The report by the parliamentary committee on violence by adults against children in schools breaks a long and terrible silence. The time has now come for solutions and increased vigilance, particularly in the case of private schools.

Published on July 3, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Between France and Algeria, rebuilding a damaged relationship without any illusions

Despite hopes for reconciliation, the recent sentences of writer Boualem Sansal and sports journalist Christophe Gleizes show that French-Algerian relations are destined to remain mired in acrimony for a long time to come.

Published on July 2, 2025, at 12:54 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

While France spends, Germany invests

While Paris is struggling to regain control over its public spending, Berlin is capitalizing on its fiscal discipline to boost its economy through an unprecedented wave of investment. Because France failed to address its imbalances in time, it now risks falling dramatically behind Germany.

Published on July 1, 2025, at 12:30 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Editorial

Supreme Court boosts Trump over federal judges, raising fears of an unchecked presidency

By deciding, in a ruling issued Friday, to limit the ability of federal judges to block executive orders, the highest court in the United States has upended the country's institutional architecture.

Published on June 28, 2025, at 2:55 pm (Paris), updated on June 28, 2025, at 10:15 pm Le Monde

Editorial

Social democracy: PM Bayrou's proclamations are not enough

Weakened by record unpopularity, his inability to assert authority over the centrist bloc and his complex relationship with the president, French Prime Minister François Bayrou downplayed the deadlock in the key pensions negotiations between labor unions and employers' organizations.

Published on June 27, 2025, at 6:04 pm (Paris), updated on June 27, 2025, at 6:07 pm Le Monde

Editorial

Trump turns NATO summit into a solo act

For Europeans, the outcome of the NATO summit on June 25 was far from glorious. They had to bow to the demands of the American president and accept a final declaration that was restrained when it came to Russia and the war in Ukraine.

Published on June 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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