Olivier Pérou

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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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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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France's Socialists declare they are 'ready to govern,' eyeing Bayrou's exit

The Socialists presented the budget plan of a potential left-wing government during a summer conference in the city of Blois. However, the initiative failed to win over their partners and was harshly criticized by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of radical left La France Insoumise.

Published on August 31, 2025, at 7:07 pm (Paris), updated on September 1, 2025, at 11:15 am Olivier Pérou

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Direct mayoral elections in Paris, Lyon, Marseille get green light from France's top court

The voting system in France's three largest cities will change in 2026, allowing voters to cast their ballots directly for central city councilors. The change could benefit right-wing mayoral hopeful Rachida Dati.

Published on August 8, 2025, at 12:58 pm (Paris), updated on August 8, 2025, at 3:25 pm Olivier Pérou

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UK's Corbyn follows in footsteps of France's Mélenchon with creation of new radical left party

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of La France Insoumise, welcomed the creation of Jeremy Corbyn's new party, likening it to his own strategy when he left the Socialists in 2008.

Published on August 3, 2025, at 10:41 pm (Paris), updated on August 4, 2025, at 8:03 am Olivier Pérou

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French left seeks to latch on to success of petition against pesticides

Energized by the success of a grassroots petition calling for the repeal of a law reauthorizing a banned pesticide, left-wing parties have pledged to keep up the pressure on the government.

Published on July 22, 2025, at 3:51 pm (Paris) Olivier Pérou

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The dashed hopes of France's left-wing alliance

The Nouveau Front Populaire alliance, between the Socialists, Greens, Communists and the radical left, has, over the past year, fueled internal divisions more than it has united the left.

Published on June 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm (Paris) Olivier Pérou Robin Richardot

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Gaza aid boat: French radical left rallies support for MEP Rima Hassan

La France Insoumise gathered in Paris to express concern for the activists aboard a boat headed to Gaza, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and La France Insoumise Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. The boat was intercepted by Israeli authorities.

Published on June 10, 2025, at 4:13 am (Paris), updated on June 10, 2025, at 8:14 am Olivier Pérou

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French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann: 'I will not take part in a primary' for the 2027 presidential election

In an interview with Le Monde, the social democratic politician said that the French left is now made up of one bloc centered around the radical left La France Insoumise party and another that emerged during the European elections. He aims to build a project around this second bloc open to the Socialists and Greens.

Published on May 28, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on May 28, 2025, at 9:43 am Sandrine Cassini Olivier Pérou

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Left-wing French delegation denied visas by Israel

A delegation of left-wing lawmakers and elected officials on Tuesday condemned a 'collective punishment' after their visas were canceled two days before a planned trip to Israel.

Published on April 23, 2025, at 11:22 am (Paris) Malika Cheklal Olivier Pérou

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Pope Francis, a pontiff embraced by the French left

French left-wing figures, from Jean-Luc Mélenchon to François Hollande, embraced the 'progressive' pope who had increasingly gotten involved in global affairs.

Published on April 22, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Olivier Pérou

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French left protests against far right but remains divided

Some left-wing parties had called for a protest against the far right and to defend the judiciary from Marine Le Pen's attacks. But the question of how the left should approach the 2027 presidential election overshadowed the other topics.

Published on April 6, 2025, at 11:49 pm (Paris), updated on April 7, 2025, at 7:55 am Olivier Pérou