Nathalie Segaunes

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François Bayrou's nine months of crises as French PM

The outgoing prime minister failed to push through any major reform and became known for his muddled leadership style.

Published yesterday at 7:47 pm (Paris), updated yesterday at 8:01 pm Nathalie Segaunes

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Prime Minister Bayrou and the Socialists: A history of missed opportunities

Socialist MPs are not expected to back François Bayrou in Monday evening's confidence vote. Since his appointment at the end of 2024, the centrist PM has made many missteps with what could have been his allies.

Published yesterday at 11:45 am (Paris), updated yesterday at 12:34 pm Olivier Pérou Nathalie Segaunes

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Why French PM Bayrou's 'mad gamble' didn't pay off

Prime Minister François Bayrou will put his government's survival on the line on Monday in a confidence vote. Faced with a seemingly inevitable defeat, the rest of the cabinet has reacted with confusion and bitterness.

Published yesterday at 4:00 am (Paris), updated yesterday at 7:46 pm Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron turns to Socialists to resolve political crisis

As Prime Minister François Bayrou held talks with political parties, President Emmanuel Macron called on the governing coalition to work with the Socialists, who are in the opposition.

Published on September 3, 2025, at 11:56 am (Paris), updated yesterday at 12:23 pm Clément Guillou, Olivier Pérou, Marie Pouzadoux and Nathalie Segaunes

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French culture minister's corruption trial complicates Paris' political landscape

Rachida Dati is planning to run in the 2026 Paris mayoral election. Her trial will disrupt the campaign and weaken her party.

Published on July 24, 2025, at 5:59 pm (Paris) Alexandre Pedro Nathalie Segaunes

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French PM bets on national effort against 'curse' of debt

On Tuesday, Prime Minister François Bayrou outlined the main strategies chosen to reach €43.8 billion in savings in the 2026 budget, all while carefully avoiding conflict with both his allies and the Socialists, on whom his survival depends.

Published on July 16, 2025, at 11:17 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron can't run in 2027, but he is hinting at a return in 2032

At a rally of his party's young members, Macron called on them to support him for the next 10 years. But he risks weakening his allies in the 2027 presidential election, in which he cannot run.

Published on July 11, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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The fate of France's prime minister is in the far right's hands – again

Prime Minister François Bayrou, who has no majority in Parliament, has lost the Socialists' 'indulgence.' Now, if the far-right Rassemblement National were to back a vote of no confidence, he would fall, like his predecessor Michel Barnier.

Published on July 1, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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French PM Bayrou pushes pensions debate to autumn in attempt to buy time

To downplay the failure of the French government's 'conclave' on pensions, the prime minister announced he would incorporate the measures agreed upon by labor unions and employers' organizations into the 2026 budget.

Published on June 27, 2025, at 11:04 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2025, at 11:59 am Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Former French PM Gabriel Attal: 'I do not see a shared vision for society' with conservatives

Economically liberal, tough on state authority and progressive on social issues... The former French prime minister, now leading Macron's party Renaissance, lays out for Le Monde the political direction he hopes to champion for 2027.

Published on June 27, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2025, at 10:55 am Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Six months later, Bayrou is still France's PM – and not finished

With no majority to back him in the Assemblée Nationale, Prime Minister François Bayrou has governed from a precarious position. He has held on, so far, thanks to a fragile agreement with the Socialists to re-examine the unpopular 2023 reform of the pensions system.

Published on June 18, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron defends former minister now lobbying for Shein

French President Emmanuel Macron was questioned about the role of former interior minister Christophe Castaner in an interview on French television on Tuesday, June 10.

Published on June 11, 2025, at 5:37 pm (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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Will Macronism outlive Macron?

Government spokesperson Sophie Primas inadvertently sparked a debate about the legacy of the French president when she referred to the 'end of Macronism' at the end of May.

Published on June 11, 2025, at 5:30 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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One year on, Macron remains entangled by fallout of rash snap elections

The French president's decision to call snap parliamentary elections on the evening of the European elections was meant to clarify public debate and avoid political paralysis. Instead, it exacerbated France's political and economic challenges.

Published on June 9, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Former French PM faces backlash over proposal to ban headscarves for children

Gabriel Attal, the head of President Macron's party, said he wanted to ban under-15s from wearing Muslim headscarves in public spaces. In response, there has been an outcry across the political spectrum, except on the far right.

Published on May 26, 2025, at 4:41 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Emmanuel Macron, a jack-of-all-trades president confronted with his inability to act

In a televised debate aimed at letting him take back control, the French president spoke on a range of topics, from security to the war Ukraine. While he was expected to announce a referendum, he chose not to commit to anything 'too precisely.'

Published on May 14, 2025, at 11:49 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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French PM Bayrou to testify in front of the Assemblée's inquiry commission on Catholic school abuse scandal

After months of contradictory responses on the scandal he is both personally and politically affected by, Prime Minister François Bayrou hopes to finally move on.

Published on May 14, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on May 14, 2025, at 10:11 am Robin Richardot Nathalie Segaunes

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Lowering of flags for Pope Francis reignites secularism debate in France

Some left-wing political leaders have condemned what they see as a breach of France's neutrality principle. While some mayors refuse to follow the directive, far-right and right-wing officials have obeyed the national instructions.

Published on April 26, 2025, at 6:00 pm (Paris) Robin D’Angelo, Mariama Darame, Benoît Floc’h and Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron decides not to revoke Sarkozy's Legion of Honor

The president announced on Thursday that he 'will not make any decision' to remove his predecessor's honor, despite his definitive conviction and prison sentence.

Published on April 25, 2025, at 12:57 pm (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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Will Macron strip Sarkozy of France's top honor?

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy, having been definitively convicted in December 2024, could be stripped of his Legion of Honor title. A disciplinary procedure has been launched, but the decision lays with Emmanuel Macron.

Published on April 24, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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French government divided over proposal to raise tax on the wealthy

In the name of tax justice, Minister of Economy and Finance Eric Lombard, has proposed making a temporary tax on the wealthy 'permanent.' Macron's camp is firmly opposed to the idea.

Published on April 18, 2025, at 3:02 pm (Paris), updated on April 22, 2025, at 2:02 pm Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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French finance minister announces additional €40 billion 'effort' in 2026

Eric Lombard also said on Sunday he wanted to make a temporary tax on the wealthy into a permanent levy to make government financing more equitable.

Published on April 14, 2025, at 10:39 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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French government fears political repercussions after Le Pen's conviction

French Prime Minister François Bayrou said he was 'troubled' on Tuesday by the five-year ban on running for office handed down to far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Published on April 1, 2025, at 10:41 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron loses his chief of staff and 'twin,' Alexis Kohler

The all-powerful chief of staff, sometimes nicknamed the 'vice president,' will step down in mid-April, after eight years of service. Emmanuel Moulin, previously ex-prime minister Gabriel Attal's chief of staff, will succeed him.

Published on March 28, 2025, at 10:46 am (Paris), updated on March 28, 2025, at 11:02 am Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron seizes on international situation to return to political limelight in France

On March 13, the French president will convene the prime minister and seven other ministers at the Elysée Palace to discuss defense spending. Nine months after his failed dissolution of the Assemblée, he has returned to the national political scene.

Published on March 12, 2025, at 11:37 am (Paris), updated on March 12, 2025, at 12:11 pm Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron calls on France's 'strength of soul' against 'Russian threat'

In a solemn address on Ukraine and European defense, the French president promised a major budgetary effort and called for a national reflection on 'the solutions of tomorrow.'

Published on March 6, 2025, at 10:25 am (Paris), updated on March 6, 2025, at 12:46 pm Mariama Darame Philippe Ricard Nathalie Segaunes

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France 'can play a central role' on Ukraine and security in Europe, says PM

During a debate on Ukraine in the Assemblée Nationale, François Bayrou gave his view of the situation, denouncing in particular Donald Trump's 'brutality.' The French lawmakers were unanimous in their support for Kyiv, despite strategic differences.

Published on March 4, 2025, at 2:31 pm (Paris), updated on March 18, 2025, at 12:39 pm Rachel Garrat-Valcarcel Nathalie Segaunes

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France's threat of revising migration agreements with Algeria escalates diplomatic row

French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced his government was giving Algiers four to six weeks to accept to repatriate a list of people expelled from France.

Published on February 27, 2025, at 3:30 pm (Paris) Julia Pascual Frédéric Bobin Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron 'sounds the alarm' in the face of the 'Russian threat'

On Thursday evening, the president answered questions in a live broadcast on social media. It was an opportunity to discuss what he planned to say to Donald Trump when they meet in Washington, on Monday.

Published on February 21, 2025, at 2:49 pm (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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French politicians react cautiously to Trump's proposal for US control of Gaza

The left and some centrist officials condemned Donald Trump's proposal. President Emmanuel Macron said it would be a 'serious violation of international law.'

Published on February 6, 2025, at 10:55 am (Paris), updated on February 6, 2025, at 11:30 am Sandrine Cassini, Clément Guillou, Alexandre Pedro and Nathalie Segaunes

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Emmanuel Macron and Anne Hidalgo's rapprochement

After 10 years without discussions between the two, the president and the Socialist mayor of Paris have had a better relationship since the 2024 Olympic Games.

Published on January 27, 2025, at 2:43 pm (Paris), updated on January 27, 2025, at 9:05 pm Hélène Bekmezian Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron takes to the international stage

Addressing military personnel on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the 'threats' that are 'accumulating' against Europe as Donald Trump took office in Washington.

Published on January 22, 2025, at 4:04 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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How PM Bayrou managed to detach the Socialists from the left-wing coalition

On Thursday, Parti Socialiste MPs decided to vote against the motion of no confidence submitted by their radical-left allies and supported by the Greens and the Communists. Socialist leader Olivier Faure nonetheless pledged to embody 'a left that makes the government yield.'

Published on January 17, 2025, at 11:13 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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PM Bayrou disappoints left and fails to inspire his own bloc in policy speech

French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced he was open to new talks on pensions, but did not suspend the previous reform. La France Insoumise, the Greens and the Communists have introduced a no-confidence motion, while the Socialists are divided.

Published on January 15, 2025, at 11:14 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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After decades on the sidelines of French politics, PM Bayrou grapples with being in charge

For 30 years François Bayrou was a man of analysis and commentary. On Tuesday, he will make his government policy statement to Parliament, in which he will lay out his priorities as prime minister.

Published on January 13, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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Macron and the persistent question of a referendum

In his New Year's address, the French president once again raised the possibility of a referendum; something which has been mentioned many times since 2017, but this 'return to the people' has never materialized.

Published on January 12, 2025, at 5:37 pm (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

Round-up Subscribers only

Macron tries to charm Musk, while accusing him of being 'reactionary'

The French president hopes that his relative closeness to the billionaire will put him in a better position of influence than other European leaders.

Published on January 11, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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'I lost brothers that morning': Tributes held at former 'Charlie Hebdo' and Hyper Cacher premises

The day of commemoration of the January 7, 2015 attacks took place under heavy security, with spectators being kept at a distance from the various ceremonial sites.

Published on January 8, 2025, at 2:27 am (Paris), updated on January 8, 2025, at 9:39 am Nathalie Segaunes Hélène Bekmezian Arthur Carpentier

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In New Year's address, Macron admits snap elections cause 'more divisions than solutions'

In his December 31 address to the nation, his shortest since 2017, President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the successes of 2024 and hinted at possible referendums in 2025.

Published on January 1, 2025, at 8:36 am (Paris) Nathalie Segaunes

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French PM Bayrou already under fire from critics

The new prime minister has been criticized for his response to the cyclone that hit the overseas territory of Mayotte and for his insistence on keeping his office as mayor of Pau.

Published on December 18, 2024, at 11:16 am (Paris), updated on December 18, 2024, at 1:37 pm Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

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