Estelle Nilsson-Julien

Europe News

‘Act five’: Parliament opens budget debate amid protests in France

The French government's budget proposal includes a €1.2 billion increase in funding for the National Education Ministry, as France grapples with one of the highest public deficits in the eurozone.

13 October 2026

Europe News

Could student protests ignite a wider movement in France?

French students' grievances include long school days, overcrowded classrooms, outdated facilities and teacher shortages. Their anger has resonated across Europe, with students in Belgium and Italy also staging protests.

11 October 2026

Europe News

Mélenchon declares ‘Bastille retaken’ after major student rally

The mass student-led movement emerged over a range of issues including long school days, overcrowded schools, teacher absences.

8 October 2026

Europe News

Fresh day of student protests across France as rally planned in Paris

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu addressed the nation on Wednesday evening in an effort to ease the crisis, promising the government would share a plan to respond to the situation by the end of October.

8 October 2026

Europe News

Hundreds arrested in clashes between police and student protesters

Eyewitnesses say police deployed tear gas to quell unrest and disperse crowds in major cities including the capital, Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Officials figures reflected a nationwide participation exceeding a quarter million students in the protests that have rocked Macron's government.

6 October 2026

Europe News

From blockades to violence: what is driving France's school protests?

Student protests erupted in the Paris region in mid-September and have since spread across the nation, with some demonstrations descending into violent clashes with police.

5 October 2026

Economy

French government to unveil budget amid record public debt

The French government, lacking a clear parliamentary majority, faces a difficult political battle as it seeks to pass its budget.

1 October 2026

Europe News

Bardella hits back at Macron over antisemitism allegations

The far-right National Rally party's Jordan Bardella has denied being the author of antisemitic messages attributed to him by investigative outlet Mediapart, which were published on Monday.

30 September 2026

Europe News

Pope Leo XIV wraps up four-day France visit in the city of Metz

The American pope was escorted to the airport of the eastern border city of Metz by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

28 September 2026

Europe News

Pope urges Europe to defend multilateralism as global order crumbles

In a speech from Metz, Pope Leo XIV invoked Europe’s Christian roots and urged leaders to defend the international rules-based order.

28 September 2026

Europe News

Pope Leo arrives in Lourdes for second leg of France Visit

Pope Leo opened his pilgrimage in Lourdes with a prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions, the site where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and one of the faith's most-visited shrines.

26 September 2026

Europe News

Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds in Paris as 600,000 await Mass

On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV continues his visit to France with a large outdoor Mass at Paris's Place de la Concorde, followed by prayers with the faithful in Lourdes.

26 September 2026

Europe News

Pope: AI must serve humans, not become a tool of domination

Pope Leo XIV, who has made AI a central component of his pontificate, warned against the dangers of the technology at UNESCO.

25 September 2026

Europe News

Pope begins first official France visit in 18 years

The Pope is making the first official papal visit to France in 18 years, during which he is expected to meet survivors of sexual abuse, EU leaders and large crowds of worshippers.

25 September 2026

Europe News

Macron denies CIA warned France of Russian drone attack

French President Emmanuel Macron denied CIA warnings of a possible Russian drone operation targeting southern Europe and pledged to send "military assets" to "protect" the Yanbu site, a key component of Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure.

24 September 2026

Business

Surging prices, voters’ anger: France’s fuel crisis hits the campaign

In recent weeks, fishermen have blocked oil depots and port entrances in the south of France, while farmers have staged demonstrations over rising fuel prices. Fuel is set to become a major political flashpoint, just seven months away from France's elections.

23 September 2026

Europe News

Kremlin claims Russia ‘no threat’ in response to Le Pen and Bardella

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia posed “no threat” to France or any other European country, responding to a statement criticising Moscow issued by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella on Saturday.

21 September 2026

Europe News

Macron to host Abdullah II, Aoun to discuss support for Lebanese army

The Paris talks come as Lebanon is seeking international backing to strengthen its armed forces and prevent a security vacuum in the south of the country.

17 September 2026

Europe News

Le Pen vows to prioritise French citizens in first campaign speech

Marine Le Pen gave her first major campaign speech in northern France on Sunday, pledging to prioritise French citizens, as well as to tackle the cost-of-living and housing crises.

14 September 2026

Europe News

Le Pen kicks off presidential election campaign amid party tensions

It comes amid reported friction between Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally party.

13 September 2026