Abel Mestre

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French journalist Alain Duhamel: 'We are facing both a crisis of government and a crisis of society'

The prominent journalist says France is experiencing an unprecedentedly serious situation – 'worse' than that of 1958 – and raises the question 'of the very survival of the political system,' in an interview with Le Monde.

Published yesterday at 4:00 am (Paris), updated yesterday at 12:21 pm Abel Mestre Thomas Wieder

In Depth Subscribers only

Jean-Marie Le Pen: A political pariah, even in his family

The founder of the far-right Front National, who died on Tuesday, January 7, at the age of 96, frequently made racist and anti-Semitic comments. Even his daughter Marine sought to dissociate herself from him.

Published on January 7, 2025, at 1:21 pm (Paris), updated on January 7, 2025, at 1:31 pm Abel Mestre

Obituary Subscribers only

Jean-Marie Le Pen, who put the far right back at the heart of French politics, has died

From his election as France's youngest MP in 1956 to his daughter Marine Le Pen taking the party he founded to new heights, Jean-Marie Le Pen was present at every stage of the French far right's post-war history. He died on Tuesday, January 7, at the age of 96.

Published on January 7, 2025, at 1:03 pm (Paris), updated on January 8, 2025, at 10:38 am Abel Mestre

Long Read Subscribers only

Georges Abdallah, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's longest-held prisoner, wants out

The Lebanese pro-Palestinian Marxist activist has been detained in France for almost 40 years for complicity in the assassination of two diplomats, one American and one Israeli, in Paris in 1982. Eleven years after his last attempt, he has applied for parole.

Published on October 3, 2024, at 4:00 am (Paris) Christophe Ayad Benjamin Barthe Abel Mestre

Profile Subscribers only

A social democrat at the head of France's justice ministry

Diddier Migaud, an ex-Socialist, is known for his budgetary rigor. He will have to deal with a budget that is tighter than that which had previously been provided for.

Published on September 23, 2024, at 6:12 pm (Paris) Abel Mestre

Investigation Subscribers only

How France's ultraright is reconfiguring itself

The Rassemblement National's advance to power is reshuffling the deck when it comes to radical far-right groups. Although the party insists it is staying away from them, the porosity between the two remains.

Published on August 26, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on August 29, 2024, at 10:57 am Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

Paris region prisons make extra room during the Olympics

To cope with a possible influx of inmates, places have been created or freed up in prisons across the greater Paris region.

Published on July 31, 2024, at 2:47 pm (Paris) Abel Mestre

News analysis Subscribers only

As Bardella becomes more like Macron, his party becomes more like Meloni's

Jordan Bardella is trying to win over voters for Macron while also forging a new path for the far-right Rassemblement National that takes inspiration from Italy's Giorgia Meloni.

Published on June 27, 2024, at 8:30 pm (Paris), updated on June 27, 2024, at 8:59 pm Clément Guillou Abel Mestre

News analysis Subscribers only

Macron and Mélenchon both trivialize the far right

Jean-Luc Mélenchon has said that Jordan Bardella is 'Macron, only worse.' Emmanuel Macron has put the far-right and Mélenchon's La France Insoumise party on equal footing. Both arguments only trivialize the far-right party, and might even strengthen it.

Published on June 19, 2024, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

French elections: Bardella's fluctuating and tricky-to-implement policies

The far-right leader laid out his first priorities should he be appointed prime minister after parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7.

Published on June 19, 2024, at 12:11 pm (Paris), updated on June 19, 2024, at 12:31 pm Mattea Battaglia, Clément Guillou, Virginie Malingre, Abel Mestre and Julia Pascual

News analysis Subscribers only

French elections: François Hollande, the last brick in the union of the left

François Hollande's support for the left-wing alliance discredits Emmanuel Macron's framing of it as being as extreme as the far right.

Published on June 15, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

The debate over adding consent to France's legal definition of rape

French law defines rape as 'sexual penetration, committed against another person by violence, constraint, threat or surprise.' President Emmanuel Macron took a divisive stance on March 8 by speaking in favor of adding the notion of consent to the law.

Published on March 19, 2024, at 2:00 am (Paris), updated on March 19, 2024, at 2:00 am Lorraine de Foucher Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

French immigration law: Constitutional Council rejects measures largely on procedural grounds

In their Thursday ruling, the nine members of the highest constitutional authority dismissed 32 out of 86 articles adopted by Parliament over procedural concerns. They partially or wholly rejected three articles as being substantively anticonstitutional.

Published on January 26, 2024, at 8:07 am (Paris) Abel Mestre Julia Pascual

News analysis Subscribers only

After his acquittal, French justice minister faces tough test of returning to 'business as usual'

After three years of legal proceedings, Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti is likely to remain in office. The scars left by his unprecedented trial before the Court of Justice of the Republic will be slow to heal.

Published on November 30, 2023, at 9:41 am (Paris) Abel Mestre

News analysis Subscribers only

What happens when the defendant is France's justice minister?

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti decided not to resign ahead of his trial for conflicts of interest, where he is accused of having abused his powers to settle scores with magistrates.

Published on November 16, 2023, at 11:48 am (Paris), updated on November 29, 2023, at 7:47 pm Abel Mestre

Feature Subscribers only

March against anti-Semitism: A compact, dignified crowd to 'show France's Jews they are not alone'

More than 100,000 people demonstrated in Paris on Sunday, and tens of thousands more across France, for the 'great civic march' against anti-Semitism. Politicians from across the spectrum were present, including the far-right Rassemblement National. But not President Emmanuel Macron, nor radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Published on November 13, 2023, at 11:20 am (Paris), updated on November 13, 2023, at 6:36 pm Vanessa Schneider, Abel Mestre, Sarah Belouezzane, Clément Guillou, Julie Carriat, Nathalie Segaunes, Stéphanie Wenger and Richard Schittly

Investigation Subscribers only

The scourge of drone deliveries to French prisons

Criminal networks are increasingly using remote-controlled drones to deliver goods such as knives, cell phones and drugs to inmates. This practice is causing concern for French prison authorities.

Published on October 29, 2023, at 4:17 pm (Paris) Abel Mestre Thomas Saintourens

In Depth Subscribers only

French government unveils tough measures four months after riots

But apart from some firm measures on juvenile justice and parental accountability, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's announcements were either not new or unspecific.

Published on October 27, 2023, at 8:47 pm (Paris) Antoine Albertini, Solène Cordier, Louise Couvelaire, Abel Mestre and Eléa Pommiers

In Depth Subscribers only

Why Zemmour will stand trial again after his comments on Pétain and French Jews

France's highest criminal court on Tuesday overturned a decision of the Paris court of appeals, which had acquitted the far-right politician of 'disputing crimes against humanity.'

Published on September 5, 2023, at 11:35 pm (Paris), updated on September 6, 2023, at 9:37 am Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

Prisons in France grapple with sweltering heat also

In facilities that are often overcrowded and inadequate in their infrastructure, the recent heatwave is particularly hard to bear for inmates and guards alike.

Published on August 26, 2023, at 5:14 am (Paris), updated on August 26, 2023, at 9:40 am Abel Mestre

News Subscribers only

France incarceration numbers hit record high, and set to rise further with riot-related verdicts

The country's overall prison density stands at 123% compared with 119% a year ago. Almost 2,500 inmates are having to sleep on floor mattresses.

Published on August 2, 2023, at 4:28 pm (Paris), updated on August 2, 2023, at 8:49 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

French justice minister weakened after court confirms trial

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti will be tried on charges of conflicts of interest. He is suspected of having ordered inspections, as minister, into magistrates with whom he had run-ins as a lawyer.

Published on July 31, 2023, at 5:00 pm (Paris), updated on August 1, 2023, at 12:36 am Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

Questions arise over violent arrest of Yssoufou Traoré, whose brother died in police custody in 2016

Yssoufou Traoré was arrested at a march organized on Saturday in tribute to his brother Adama, seven years after his death. Yssoufou was hospitalized shortly after, with a video showing a forceful arrest by the police.

Published on July 9, 2023, at 6:41 pm (Paris) Abel Mestre

Obituary Subscribers only

Silvio Berlusconi's success at AC Milan: A catalyst for political power

The politician and businessman who died on Monday set the stage for his rise to power by acquiring the football club when it was faltering and leading it to the top of Europe.

Published on June 13, 2023, at 9:29 am (Paris) Abel Mestre

News analysis Subscribers only

What happened at violent protest against water reservoirs in western France?

On March 25, an illegal demonstration against a massive water reserve project in Sainte-Soline turned into a violent clash with the police. As reports multiply, 'Le Monde' looks back on what happened on that day.

Published on April 4, 2023, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on April 4, 2023, at 4:05 pm Collective

News Subscribers only

Pension protests: After arrest wave, police criticized for 'violence' and 'abuse of process'

Since March 16, the day the French government announced it would force through the reform, nearly 800 people have been arrested by the police in Paris.

Published on March 22, 2023, at 6:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 29, 2023, at 11:41 am Antoine Albertini Abel Mestre

Long Read

Justice Minister Dupond-Moretti, a man on a mission against the far right

The French justice minister is the member of government who most vigorously opposes the Rassemblement National. The party thinks it can benefit from his 'obsession'.

Published on January 3, 2023, at 5:10 pm (Paris), updated on January 4, 2023, at 5:09 am Abel Mestre Clément Guillou

News Subscribers only

Left-wing French MPs present resolution calling Israel 'apartheid regime' and demanding boycotts

The motion was condemned by the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, which calls it 'anti-Semitism' disguised as 'anti-Zionism.'

Published on July 23, 2022, at 6:00 pm (Paris), updated on July 24, 2022, at 12:37 am Benjamin Barthe Abel Mestre

News analysis

French legislative elections: The 'dam' holding back the far right is crumbling

France's tradition of mainstream parties uniting to defeat the far-right Rassemblement National failed for the first time on Sunday, June 19, allowing 89 MPs to enter the Assemblée Nationale.

Published on June 22, 2022, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on June 22, 2022, at 10:09 am Abel Mestre

News analysis

French legislative elections: Two irreconcilable oppositions could play into Macron's hands

President Emmanuel Macron's coalition Ensemble! failed to win an absolute majority, but it can count on a split opposition because of the rivalry between the far right and the left.

Published on June 20, 2022, at 4:20 pm (Paris), updated on June 20, 2022, at 9:39 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth

French legislative elections: Sharp decline in voter turnout highlights a worrying trend

On June 12, 52.4% of voters did not turn out, despite the high political stakes of the first round. And there is every possibility that this will be repeated on Sunday 19 for the second round.

Published on June 19, 2022, at 1:29 am (Paris), updated on June 19, 2022, at 6:30 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth

French legislative elections: Uncertain outcome only four days before the polls

The president's majority in Parliament and the left coalition are running neck and neck in voting intentions and facing a context of very high abstention, according to the latest poll conducted for 'Le Monde.'

Published on June 8, 2022, at 5:29 pm (Paris), updated on June 8, 2022, at 5:30 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth

2022 legislative elections: France’s electorate is increasingly divided between three blocs

More than 75% of voting intentions are divided between the presidential majority, the left alliance, and the far right, according to the latest poll conducted in partnership with 'Le Monde.'

Published on May 23, 2022, at 5:29 pm (Paris), updated on May 23, 2022, at 6:15 pm Abel Mestre

Long Read Subscribers only

Jean-Luc Mélenchon's long road to becoming leader of the left

After disagreements, break-ups, and partial defeats, the leader of the radical left has managed to unite left-wing parties for the June legislative elections. Who could have imagined this in 2008, when he quit from the Parti Socialiste?

Published on May 10, 2022, at 12:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 24, 2022, at 11:59 am Abel Mestre Julie Carriat

News analysis Subscribers only

Macron tops latest poll, buoyed by voters unenthusiastic about his policies

According to the final Ipsos-Le Monde poll before election day, the gap between the president and the far-right candidate is growing, with voting intentions in favor of the candidates respectively at 56% and 44%.

Published on April 20, 2022, at 6:13 pm (Paris), updated on April 21, 2022, at 4:15 pm Abel Mestre

Interview Subscribers only

'Ultimate voting decisions happen more often in last days of election:' Pollster Ipsos explains surprise first round results

In an interview with 'Le Monde,' Brice Teinturier, the deputy director general of Ipsos discusses the high rate of undecided voters detected on Friday, April 8, particularly among left-wing voters.

Published on April 12, 2022, at 3:28 am (Paris), updated on April 13, 2022, at 5:33 pm Abel Mestre

News analysis Subscribers only

French presidential election: Macron and Le Pen's differing run-off strategies

The incumbent wants to reactivate the multi-party 'republican' coalition against the far-right. Marine Le Pen, meanwhile, wants to turn the election into an 'anti-Macron referendum.'

Published on April 11, 2022, at 2:27 pm (Paris), updated on April 21, 2022, at 4:03 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

2022 presidential election: The dangers of an uncertain ballot

The ninth round of polls conducted for 'Le Monde' by Ipsos-Sopra Steria, in partnership with Cevipof and the Fondation Jean Jaurès, indicates that there are still several unknowns in the lead-up to the first round of French election, scheduled for Sunday.

Published on April 7, 2022, at 9:36 am (Paris), updated on May 30, 2022, at 2:56 pm Abel Mestre

In Depth Subscribers only

The low-turnout scenario in the French presidential election: Are we headed towards a '2002 syndrome'?

With no TV debates and a sense that the result is already known, the first round of the presidential election could see fewer voters than usual turn out. The situation is reminiscent of 20 years ago, when 28.4% of registered voters didn't turn out.

Published on April 6, 2022, at 8:53 pm (Paris), updated on May 30, 2022, at 2:55 pm Abel Mestre