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Euractiv
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
Paris elections morph into political minefield for Macron and the French right
PARIS – The battle to represent Paris's poshest district has erupted into a political family feud, pitting EU heavyweight Michel Barnier against scandal-hit minister Rachida Dati – and creating a political headache for Emmanuel Macron. This week, ex-EU Brexit negotiator Barnier secured the backing of France's conservative party, Les Républicains (LR), to run in a key parliamentary by-election in the capital's wealthy 7th arrondissement. But the decision triggered a furious response from Rachida Dati – another LR big beast and mayor of the 7th arrondissement – who refused to back down and immediately announced she would run against Barnier in the September vote. Dati, who also serves as culture minister in Macron's cabinet had hoped to win support from both LR and Macron's Renaissance party to also become the capital's mayor in next spring's elections. The post is a frequent launchpad for higher national office. However, recent allegations of corruption are undermining her chances. The race is now exposing divisions among major figures on the French right, as the party's nominating committee sought to ease tensions on Monday by describing Dati as the strongest voice for change in Paris after it had earlier endorsed Barnier's nomination bid. Barnier, for his part, assured that he had no mayoral ambitions in the capital. A political headache Dati's ascent from a working-class immigrant background to minister made her a powerful symbol for the conservative right. Her 2024 entry into Macron's cabinet reflected both her personal clout and the president's need to revitalise his party after electoral setbacks and gain ground in urban strongholds like Paris. Macron's party is indeed still hoping to win control of a major city, as it lacks a strong local power base. At the same time, LR is eager to reclaim Paris – once a conservative bastion under former President Jacques Chirac – according to Bruno Cautrès, a political scientist at Sciences Po. 'They both need a candidate who can stand out, but also one who isn't entangled in legal affairs,' he said. Dati is accused of accepting €900,000 in consultancy fees in 2012 from a subsidiary of Renault-Nissan while serving as a member of the European Parliament. Dati, who has denied any wrongdoing, sat in the Parliament from 2009 to 2019 – a period during which lobbying by elected officials was tightly regulated. Her case is unlikely to be resolved before the September by-election and the 2026 Paris mayoral election. A polarising figure Dati is a divisive figure for both LR and Macron's camp. Her surprise candidacy was seen as a power move ahead of the mayoral race, but LR quickly backed Barnier instead, viewing him as a steadier, less controversial choice. Within Macron's camp, the dilemma is even more acute. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, himself a former LR member, has publicly endorsed Dati. But others are increasingly uneasy about the risks she represents. Former Europe Minister Clément Beaune criticised Dati's attacks on the judiciary – after she accused magistrates of targeting her for political reasons – warning that 'we are not in Trump's America,' during a national television appearance. One senior Renaissance official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that 'half the activists [of Macron's movement] in Paris would quit' if asked to campaign for her, arguing that she represents everything Macron's movement was meant to oppose. 'Macron rose to power in 2017 on a promise of radical reform, a break from traditional party politics, and a commitment to irreproachable ethics,' said a former MP from his party. 'He dismissed four ministers – including François Bayrou, then education minister and now prime minister – over allegations just as serious as the ones Dati is facing today.' A narrowing path for Macron Yet Macron has no better option. Dati remains one of the few politicians with name recognition, electoral experience, and a functioning political machine on the ground – qualities that make her hard to ignore, despite her legal and political baggage. Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister now leading Renaissance, has notably remained silent on Dati's most recent moves. But she might also need his backing if she hopes to become Macron's official candidate. 'The mayoral election will reflect the reshaping of French political life,' said Stéphane Zumsteeg, director of political research at Ipsos. 'It's also a litmus test for whether traditional parties still control their flanks.' With both Dati and Barnier expected to run, some polls already indicate a potential split in the centre-right and conservative vote – a scenario that could ultimately benefit the left. Others see it as a crash test for Macron's already fragile alliance with the right. 'This whole thing is starting to look like a revealing mirror of Macron's party's unpreparedness for the election,' said the senior member of the president's movement, speaking on condition of anonymity. And with a presidential race looming in 2027, the stakes in Paris are higher than ever. (mm, cs)
Medscape
5 days ago
- Politics
- Medscape
Smile Before the Fall: Suicide Risk You Missed?
Olivier Marleix's death shocked the French political community. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Eure-et-Loir and former president of the Les Républicains group in the National Assembly died by suicide on 7 July, at the age of 54. Widely respected by colleagues and opponents alike, the former mayor of Anet was honoured by leaders across the political spectrum, including Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, François-Xavier Bellamy, and President Emmanuel Macron. Speculation and Conspiracy Amid the widespread expression of sympathy, social media was flooded with speculative and often disrespectful comments. Some users questioned how Marleix could have taken his own life when he did not appear to be visibly distressed. 'Do you see any sign of distress in this speech by Olivier Marleix, delivered 5 days before his death?' One social media user asked, sharing a video of the MP addressing the National Assembly. Another wrote, 'On Sunday, Olivier Marleix was smiling while inaugurating projects in his constituency; the next day he takes his own life — something doesn't add up.' A reasonable conclusion is that human behaviour is often complex, and a person may appear calm or happy in public while experiencing severe distress in private. However, for some social media users, this explanation was not convincing. Conspiracy theories quickly spread, claiming that authorities killed Olivier Marleix and other public figures because they allegedly 'knew too much' about sensitive matters, such as the sale of Alstom or the alleged mass euthanasia of older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. Supporters of these theories rallied around the hashtag #JeNeSuisPasSuicidaire ('I am not suicidal'), implying that if they were found dead by suicide, it should be treated as a possible homicide. Misunderstanding Suicide Reactions to the suicide of Olivier Marleix highlight widespread public misunderstanding of suicide, said David Masson, MD, head of the Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation at the Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy in Laxou, France, who is active on social media, and criticised the #JeNeSuisPasSuicidaire ('I am not suicidal') movement as 'pathetic and unworthy.' Focusing on raising awareness of mental health, Masson regularly uses his X account to challenge the common misconceptions about suicide. He began by sharing key statistics: Around 9200 individuals die by suicide each year in France, and at least 200,000 attempt suicide — a figure likely underestimated. Far from being rare, suicide deaths have increased slightly in recent years, with France having one of the highest suicide rates in Europe. Masson also countered the popular image of suicide notes, explaining that 'The majority of suicides are not accompanied by a letter or explanation.' Addressing Marleix's case specifically, he noted, 'What we see is not always what we feel. A person can wear a bright smile, even during a suicidal crisis.' He added that suicide may result from depression but can also occur in the context of other psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, addiction, or schizophrenia. In some cases, there may be no identifiable mental illness. Another misconception, he said, is that those who die by suicide tend not to talk about it. In reality, people experiencing suicidal thoughts often do speak about them, 'frequently as a cry for help.' Masson emphasised that asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not encourage them to act but instead 'opens up space for discussion and helps assess their level of suffering.' Responding directly to the #JeNeSuisPasSuicidaire movement, he added, 'No one is immune to developing suicidal thoughts during their life.' Marleix's death was followed by the news of another tragedy: the suicide of Maxime Tessier, lawyer for Joël Le Scouarnec — a physician convicted of sexual assaults who died at the age of 34. France has indicated a rise in suicides and suicide attempts among tax authority employees in 2025, with 13 deaths and 8 attempts to date, including 2 suicides related to the workplace. These recent events have strengthened the calls from mental health professionals to end the silence surrounding suicide. 'Suicide is the tragedy of silence — the silence of those who suffer but feel too ashamed or afraid to speak, and the silence of loved ones who do not know how to ask,' said Nathalie Pauwels, director of the Papageno programme, in an interview with La Voix du Nord , a regional newspaper based in Lille, northern France. Focus on Prevention The Papageno programme, a national suicide prevention initiative in France, was created by doctors and journalists and named after a character in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute . In the opera, Papageno is saved from suicide by his friends, symbolising the power of social support. The programme aims to prevent suicide contagion , also known as the Werther effect , a well-documented phenomenon in which media coverage of suicide can lead to an increase in suicide rates, particularly if the reporting is sensationalised or lacks appropriate context. To counter this, the programme launched a nationwide campaign titled Talking About Suicide Can Save Lives , aimed at promoting open dialogue about mental health and improving how suicide is discussed in the media. The campaign aligns with global public health efforts to reduce suicide stigma and encourage early intervention. 'Our goal is to help create a society where those in distress can find support, and those offering help know how to respond,' said the program's organisers.
Local France
5 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
French anger over toxic chemical in farmers' bill piles pressure on Macron
On July 10th, a 23-year-old master's student launched a petition urging the French government to drop legislation allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems but popular with many farmers in Europe. Banned in France since 2018, the chemical remains legal in the European Union, and proponents say French farmers need it to help them compete. Support for the petition spread like, with university lecturers, actors, left-wing lawmakers and star chefs backing it. It had racked up more than 1.9 million signatures by Friday morning. The controversial legislation is dubbed the Loi Duplomb, after its author, Laurent Duplomb, a senator for the right-wing Les Républicains. The bill was adopted on July 8th, but without a proper debate, to bypass gridlock in a divided parliament. Signatories of the petition have urged President Emmanuel Macron not to sign it into law. The petition calls the legislation a 'frontal attack on public health'. But supporters say their frustration goes beyond environmental concerns. Commentators speculate that it may be a sign of exasperation with deadlock in a hung parliament and a desire to have a greater say in political matters. Elodie Germain, 46, said the mobilisation represents a form of 'democratic revenge', after Macron forced a controversial pension reform through parliament in 2023 and dissolved the lower chamber last year, sparking political turmoil that resulted in a hung parliament. READ ALSO French farmers dump manure and throw eggs in petition counter-protest 'There is of course an environmental aspect behind my signature, but there is also a lot of frustration,' said Germain. Advertisement 'After the pension reform and the dissolution, here we have another example of a bill being forced through parliament.' Francois Veillerette, of environmental association Generations Futures, struck a similar note. 'People have felt for months that they are not being listened to,' he said. Such is the success of the mobilisation that representatives of France's culinary world, usually reticent about airing political views, published an open letter calling for the withdrawal of the legislation and a moratorium on pesticide use. 'We are appalled by the blindness of our politicians and their now all-too-obvious ties to the agro-industry,' said the letter, which has collected signatures from nearly 400 people, including Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs. 'We, restaurateurs, work hard, we keep our mouths shut and get on with it,' said Glenn Viel, a celebrated three-star Michelin chef. 'But at some point, you have to bang your fist on the table.' Jacques Marcon, another three-star Michelin chef, said he was ready to become 'a true activist for the agricultural and environmental cause'. Newspaper Le Monde said the petition had put politicians on edge. 'The unprecedentedly large grassroots movement making itself heard on environmental issues through the now-famous petition has caught everyone off guard,' it said in an editorial. The petition has drawn attention to parliament's 'shortcomings', it added. In France, if a petition submitted on the National Assembly's website reaches 500,000 signatures, parliament's lower house may choose to hold a public debate, limited to the content of the petition. While any review of the legislation is unlikely at this stage, the government is under increasing pressure to respond to the public anger. Advertisement France has a long history of mass protests, including the yellow vest protests for economic justice. The grassroots movement began in 2018 with a petition calling for lower fuel prices. Several left-wing parties and environmental associations have urged Macron to demand a 'new deliberation' of the legislation in parliament. On Wednesday, Macron said he would wait for the conclusions of the Constitutional Council, due to rule on the validity of the legislation by August 10th, according to the government spokeswoman. Experts warn that if no solution is found, the situation could breed even more frustration. Guillaume Gourgues, a lecturer in political science at the University of Lyon 2, who signed the petition, said it was 'completely abnormal' that there was no outlet in France for 'a mobilisation of this magnitude'. 'No one has the slightest idea what this will achieve,' he said, referring to the proposed parliamentary debate. Gally Vangeenberghe, a 21-year-old sales assistant from the northern city of Lille, said the fact the legislation had been adopted without debate was 'heresy'. 'I find it unacceptable.'
El Chorouk
22-07-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
French Right Demands EU Halt Negotiations With Algeria!
European MP and second-in-command of France's right-wing 'Les Républicains' party, François-Xavier Bellamy, revealed that the silence surrounding Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for weeks, as he stopped attacking Algeria, was a result of a request from French authorities, hoping for Sansal's release. He also revealed that Retailleau would meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to clarify matters regarding the management of the crisis with Algeria. François-Xavier Bellamy stated: 'The Interior Minister, and generally in the European Parliament (…), were asked to remain silent (regarding Algeria), otherwise the fate of Boualem Sansal's release would be risked, which we were informed was imminent.' This is the second such statement in less than a week from 'Les Républicains,' following the tense statements made by party leader Bruno Retailleau last weekend. The French Interior Minister had announced the end of the undeclared truce with Algeria last Friday, when he said in press statements: 'The diplomacy of good intentions has failed… We must change our tone and rely on the balance of power chosen by the Algerian government itself,' he claimed. As symbols of the French right freed themselves from the political constraints imposed on them in dealing with Algeria, the threads of the conspiracy against Algeria from within the European Parliament began to unravel. On Monday evening, the vice-president of 'Les Républicains' demanded, in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP), that the European Union make the release of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal a 'fundamental condition' for the negotiations expected to begin soon between Algeria and Brussels. Like his party leader, the European MP strongly criticized his country's stance in dealing with the escalating crisis with Algeria, considering it 'negative,' noting that: 'What we are witnessing are the consequences of a form of submission (of France to Algeria),' while commenting on the positions of the Élysée Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that they preferred to return to 'a position of surrender and negativity, which will contribute to tarnishing France's reputation, not only before Algeria, but on the international stage in general.' It is known that Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot did not delay much in responding to Bruno Retailleau's demands. He expressed his complete rejection of what his government colleague said in a tweet on the 'X' platform, which read: 'There is no diplomacy of good feelings, nor diplomacy of resentment. There is only diplomacy.' Although he did not target Retailleau by name, the response was clear to the phrase 'the diplomacy of good intentions has failed.' Based on the statement by the European MP from 'Les Républicains,' Retailleau will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to discuss the position the French government should adopt, given the Algerian side's adherence to the sovereignty of judicial decisions in Sansal's case, and thus its rejection of repeated French demands in this regard. The leader of 'Les Républicains,' who also holds the portfolio of the Ministry of Interior, demands the use of a balance of power logic with Algeria, due to the issue of migrants and the cancellation or revision of the 1968 agreement. These demands are rejected by the French President and the Foreign Minister, who consider them outside the Interior Minister's powers, which puts Retailleau's future in François Bayrou's government at a real test.
Euractiv
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Ex-PM Barnier seeks political comeback with a bid in Paris by-election
PARIS – Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator and briefly serving French prime minister in 2024, has announced his candidacy for a Paris parliamentary seat, seeking to reassert himself on the national political stage. 'As someone who has lived in this constituency for a long time, my candidacy is part of a rallying effort for the right and centre,' he said on X, after French media Le Figaro first reported the news. The 74-year-old veteran of the conservative Les Républicains party is entering the race following the annulment of a Macron-aligned candidate's 2024 victory, overturned due to campaign spending irregularities. The by-election is to take place in September, and other candidates have not yet made their intentions public. While Barnier built his political base in the Savoy region, his bid for this Parisian seat is part of an effort to raise his profile ahead of key electoral contests, an advisor to Barnier said. 'He has said several times that this is not the time to talk about presidential candidacies, as the right is continuing its breakthrough in France, partly thanks to him, but he wants to weigh in on ideas and help build this dynamic,' the close advisor said. The race for the Paris district, a traditionally centre-right stronghold near the Seine river and the Eiffel tower, is shaping up to be a key test for alliances between Macron's centre-right Renaissance and the conservatives Les Républicains. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, recently elected as president of Les Républicains, has already voiced support for Barnier's candidacy. 'Renaissance can't possibly put anyone in front of him,' the close aide added. The by-election is also expected to attract national attention, reflecting the broader political turbulence that has ensued since Macron called snap elections in 2024. His centre-right party has struggled to govern amid gains by both the far right and the left in the parliament, and is now facing mounting internal divisions. The move also comes as the race for Paris mayor begins to gather pace – and a win at the National Assembly could position Barnier to play a role in shaping that contest. Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who has positioned herself as a potential candidate, has called for a united front between the conservatives and centrists to prevent a split vote. If elected, Barnier would support her but has no plan to run himself for the contested election in any case, his aide said. The former EU official would, however, always keep an eye on Europe, they added, as he tries to maintain close ties with fellow conservatives, having recently met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ursula von der Leyen. (mm)
