The French Dispatch
@frenchdispatch.eu
www.FrenchDispatch.eu
Fact-based reporting and analysis of French, European, and wider global politics, led by @JulienHoez.eu
Fact-based reporting and analysis of French, European, and wider global politics, led by @JulienHoez.eu
Pinned
French budget crisis continues as General Mandon warns mayors to prepare for war
Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget, General Mandon warns mayors to prepare for war, Sarkozy book to cover agonising 20 days in Prison, and Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏭Assemblée votes to nationalise ArcelorMittal
💶S&P maintains French A+ rating
🪖Macron announces voluntary national service
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/france-arc...
🏭Assemblée votes to nationalise ArcelorMittal
💶S&P maintains French A+ rating
🪖Macron announces voluntary national service
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/france-arc...
Strengthening the French nation
The Assemblée Nationale votes to nationalise ArcelorMittal, S&P Global maintains French A+ rating, and Emmanuel Macron announces a voluntary national service
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏭Assemblée votes to nationalise ArcelorMittal
💶S&P maintains French A+ rating
🪖Macron announces voluntary national service
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/france-arc...
🏭Assemblée votes to nationalise ArcelorMittal
💶S&P maintains French A+ rating
🪖Macron announces voluntary national service
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/france-arc...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
French budget crisis continues as General Mandon warns mayors to prepare for war
Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget, General Mandon warns mayors to prepare for war, Sarkozy book to cover agonising 20 days in Prison, and Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
🏛️Assemblée rejects income segment of 2026 budget
🪖General warns mayors to prepare for war, extremes complain
📖Sarkozy to release book on agonising 20 days in Prison
🕊️Boualem Sansal is now free
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/french-bud...
The full text of General Fabien Mandon's speech at the Congress of Mayors of France, calling on mayors to help prepare the citizenry for a potential war against foreign enemies.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/if-our-cou...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/if-our-cou...
"If our country falters because it is not ready to accept losing its children" - General Mandon's full speech
The full text of General Fabien Mandon's speech at the Congress of Mayors of France, calling on mayors to help prepare the citizenry for a potential war against foreign enemies.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 23, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The full text of General Fabien Mandon's speech at the Congress of Mayors of France, calling on mayors to help prepare the citizenry for a potential war against foreign enemies.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/if-our-cou...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/if-our-cou...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
👮Sarkozy out of prison
❌Le Pen’s appeal rejected by Council of State
💬Prefect denounces revisionist tribute to Pétain in Verdun
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
👮Sarkozy out of prison
❌Le Pen’s appeal rejected by Council of State
💬Prefect denounces revisionist tribute to Pétain in Verdun
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
Sarkozy Escapes Prison, Le Pen Forced Out, and Pétainist Revisionism
From Nicolas Sarkozy’s unexpected release pending appeal, to Marine Le Pen’s enforced resignation and a Pétainist tribute in Verdun, France faces a pivotal test of judicial independence and truth.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
👮Sarkozy out of prison
❌Le Pen’s appeal rejected by Council of State
💬Prefect denounces revisionist tribute to Pétain in Verdun
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
👮Sarkozy out of prison
❌Le Pen’s appeal rejected by Council of State
💬Prefect denounces revisionist tribute to Pétain in Verdun
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
Zack Polanski believes that he can potentially convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to give up his nuclear weapons. Here is why that is not only dangerously foolish, but disqualifying.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
Quick reaction to Zack Polanski’s Putin naïveté
Polanski believes that he can potentially convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to give up his nuclear weapons. Here is why that is not only dangerously foolish, but disqualifying.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Zack Polanski believes that he can potentially convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to give up his nuclear weapons. Here is why that is not only dangerously foolish, but disqualifying.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏛️French Federal Republic re-enters discussions
🗳️Assemblèe adopts revenue segment of budget
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/debating-t...
🏛️French Federal Republic re-enters discussions
🗳️Assemblèe adopts revenue segment of budget
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/debating-t...
⏱️Debating the future of France
Senators start pushing toward a Federal French Republic, while the Assemblèe moves forward towards a budget by voting through the revenue segment of the PLFSS
www.frenchdispatch.eu
November 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🏛️French Federal Republic re-enters discussions
🗳️Assemblèe adopts revenue segment of budget
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/debating-t...
🏛️French Federal Republic re-enters discussions
🗳️Assemblèe adopts revenue segment of budget
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/debating-t...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🧑⚖️Bardella’s rejected campaign expenditure
🌹Parti Socialiste lose patience, threaten Lecornu
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-fa...
🧑⚖️Bardella’s rejected campaign expenditure
🌹Parti Socialiste lose patience, threaten Lecornu
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-fa...
Lecornu on the brink
Bardella's €240,000 in campaign expenses were rejected as Faure gave Lecornu an ultimatum before bringing down his government.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🧑⚖️Bardella’s rejected campaign expenditure
🌹Parti Socialiste lose patience, threaten Lecornu
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-fa...
🧑⚖️Bardella’s rejected campaign expenditure
🌹Parti Socialiste lose patience, threaten Lecornu
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-fa...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🔫Lecornu survives two censure motions
📝1,700 amendments for the budget
🚓Someone robbed the Louvre
💬Caption Contest
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sebastien-...
🔫Lecornu survives two censure motions
📝1,700 amendments for the budget
🚓Someone robbed the Louvre
💬Caption Contest
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sebastien-...
Lecornu 2 is go
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survives two censure motions, 1,700 amendments are submitted for the 2026 budget, and someone robbed the Louvre this morning.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 19, 2025 at 10:08 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🔫Lecornu survives two censure motions
📝1,700 amendments for the budget
🚓Someone robbed the Louvre
💬Caption Contest
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sebastien-...
🔫Lecornu survives two censure motions
📝1,700 amendments for the budget
🚓Someone robbed the Louvre
💬Caption Contest
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sebastien-...
Reposted by The French Dispatch
The far-left La France Insoumise Motion of Censure against the Lecornu II Government has failed.
With 271 votes in favour, the vote failed by only 18 votes.
This means PM Sébastien Lecornu is now entirely dependent on support from the Parti Socialiste.
With 271 votes in favour, the vote failed by only 18 votes.
This means PM Sébastien Lecornu is now entirely dependent on support from the Parti Socialiste.
October 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The far-left La France Insoumise Motion of Censure against the Lecornu II Government has failed.
With 271 votes in favour, the vote failed by only 18 votes.
This means PM Sébastien Lecornu is now entirely dependent on support from the Parti Socialiste.
With 271 votes in favour, the vote failed by only 18 votes.
This means PM Sébastien Lecornu is now entirely dependent on support from the Parti Socialiste.
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
⏱️The French Political Crisis continues
2️⃣Lecornu 2
💶Budget timeline gets tighter
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-pr...
⏱️The French Political Crisis continues
2️⃣Lecornu 2
💶Budget timeline gets tighter
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-pr...
♻️Lecornu, rebelote
The French political crisis continues as Sébastien Lecornu quits and is renominated, Emmanuel Macron is betrayed by his ally Edouard Philippe's presidential ambitions, and budget deadlines approach
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 12, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
⏱️The French Political Crisis continues
2️⃣Lecornu 2
💶Budget timeline gets tighter
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-pr...
⏱️The French Political Crisis continues
2️⃣Lecornu 2
💶Budget timeline gets tighter
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-pr...
Fabien Roussel (PCF) has announced that President Emmanuel Macron will make a public declaration this evening on the result of the day's discussions.
October 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Fabien Roussel (PCF) has announced that President Emmanuel Macron will make a public declaration this evening on the result of the day's discussions.
"There is no guarantee of non-censorship on our part" Olivier Faure (PS) warned after meeting Emmanuel Macron today.
"Overall, there has been no clear response from the President of the Republic. The simple postponement of the pension reform has nothing to do with our request"
"Overall, there has been no clear response from the President of the Republic. The simple postponement of the pension reform has nothing to do with our request"
October 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"There is no guarantee of non-censorship on our part" Olivier Faure (PS) warned after meeting Emmanuel Macron today.
"Overall, there has been no clear response from the President of the Republic. The simple postponement of the pension reform has nothing to do with our request"
"Overall, there has been no clear response from the President of the Republic. The simple postponement of the pension reform has nothing to do with our request"
According to reports coming out of the Elysée meetings today, there will be no dissolution and we will see a new Prime Minister within "the next few hours".
However, this prime minister, according to Marine Tondelier, will not be from the left.
However, this prime minister, according to Marine Tondelier, will not be from the left.
October 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
According to reports coming out of the Elysée meetings today, there will be no dissolution and we will see a new Prime Minister within "the next few hours".
However, this prime minister, according to Marine Tondelier, will not be from the left.
However, this prime minister, according to Marine Tondelier, will not be from the left.
🚨French Politician Confidence Poll - October 2025
For each of the following personalities, please indicate whether you have a positive or a negative image of them
For each of the following personalities, please indicate whether you have a positive or a negative image of them
October 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
🚨French Politician Confidence Poll - October 2025
For each of the following personalities, please indicate whether you have a positive or a negative image of them
For each of the following personalities, please indicate whether you have a positive or a negative image of them
🚨Emmanuel Macron Confidence Poll - October 2025
Do you trust or not trust the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to effectively tackle the main issues facing the country?
Completely trust - 4%
Somewhat trust - 10%
Not really - 23%
Not at all - 59%
No opinion - 4%
Do you trust or not trust the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to effectively tackle the main issues facing the country?
Completely trust - 4%
Somewhat trust - 10%
Not really - 23%
Not at all - 59%
No opinion - 4%
October 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
🚨Emmanuel Macron Confidence Poll - October 2025
Do you trust or not trust the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to effectively tackle the main issues facing the country?
Completely trust - 4%
Somewhat trust - 10%
Not really - 23%
Not at all - 59%
No opinion - 4%
Do you trust or not trust the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to effectively tackle the main issues facing the country?
Completely trust - 4%
Somewhat trust - 10%
Not really - 23%
Not at all - 59%
No opinion - 4%
Lecornu is gone, but why did he resign? Will there be a new PM or new elections? Will Macron resign? And what is the destitution procedure that the opposition is trying to force against Macron?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
Lecornu Resigns as France Succumbs to Political Chaos
Lecornu is gone, but why did he resign? Will there be a new PM or new elections? Will Macron resign? And what is the destitution procedure that the opposition is trying to force against Macron?
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Lecornu is gone, but why did he resign? Will there be a new PM or new elections? Will Macron resign? And what is the destitution procedure that the opposition is trying to force against Macron?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
🚨POLL
🇫🇷Hypothetical voting intentions for the 1st round of French legislative elections
🇫🇷Hypothetical voting intentions for the 1st round of French legislative elections
October 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
🚨POLL
🇫🇷Hypothetical voting intentions for the 1st round of French legislative elections
🇫🇷Hypothetical voting intentions for the 1st round of French legislative elections
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🆕New weekly format
🤝Lecornu pushes towards likely doomed government formation
🗳️Faure “We are heading straight for censorship”
👇Marine Le Pen threatens to bring down the government
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-go...
🆕New weekly format
🤝Lecornu pushes towards likely doomed government formation
🗳️Faure “We are heading straight for censorship”
👇Marine Le Pen threatens to bring down the government
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-go...
⏰The Lecornu Government is Collapsing Before it Forms
A new format, Prime Minister Lecornu works towards a political statement on Tuesday while forming his government, and has already been threatened with motions of censure by the left and far-right.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🆕New weekly format
🤝Lecornu pushes towards likely doomed government formation
🗳️Faure “We are heading straight for censorship”
👇Marine Le Pen threatens to bring down the government
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-go...
🆕New weekly format
🤝Lecornu pushes towards likely doomed government formation
🗳️Faure “We are heading straight for censorship”
👇Marine Le Pen threatens to bring down the government
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-go...
This week, the European Council held an informal meeting in Copenhagen, alongside a meeting of the European Political Community. But what was announced on European defence and Ukraine?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/weekly-eur...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/weekly-eur...
Weekly European Update - Copenhagen Summit
Watch now (17 mins) | This week saw the European Council have an informal meeting in Copenhagen, alongside a meeting of the European Political Community. But what was announced on European defence and...
www.frenchdispatch.eu
October 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This week, the European Council held an informal meeting in Copenhagen, alongside a meeting of the European Political Community. But what was announced on European defence and Ukraine?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/weekly-eur...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/weekly-eur...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🧑⚖️Sarkozy is going to prison
🇲🇩Moldova votes on its European future
🇵🇸Macron wants to trade hostages for Palestine embassy
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
🧑⚖️Sarkozy is going to prison
🇲🇩Moldova votes on its European future
🇵🇸Macron wants to trade hostages for Palestine embassy
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
Sarkozy Jailed, Moldova Votes on Europe, and Macron Links Palestine Embassy to Hostage Release
A historic prison sentence for Nicolas Sarkozy, a decisive parliamentary election in Moldova, and Emmanuel Macron’s bold UN move on Palestine define a turbulent week in French and European politics.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
September 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🧑⚖️Sarkozy is going to prison
🇲🇩Moldova votes on its European future
🇵🇸Macron wants to trade hostages for Palestine embassy
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
🧑⚖️Sarkozy is going to prison
🇲🇩Moldova votes on its European future
🇵🇸Macron wants to trade hostages for Palestine embassy
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/sarkozy-pr...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
⛵Paris Municipal election begins to clarify
✨Barnier the favourite in the Paris 2nd today
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/paris-mayo...
⛵Paris Municipal election begins to clarify
✨Barnier the favourite in the Paris 2nd today
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/paris-mayo...
🇫🇷Parisian elections, Dati, and Barnier
The field of candidates is becoming clearer for the Mayor of Paris race, while former Prime Minister Michel Barnier may win over 60% of the vote in the Paris 2nd constituency.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
September 21, 2025 at 9:19 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
⛵Paris Municipal election begins to clarify
✨Barnier the favourite in the Paris 2nd today
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/paris-mayo...
⛵Paris Municipal election begins to clarify
✨Barnier the favourite in the Paris 2nd today
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/paris-mayo...
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🔄Bayrou out, Lecornu in
💭So, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu
🇩🇰Denmark chooses Franco-Italian SAMP/T over US Patriots
📜Far-right plans amnesty law for Le Pen
💶Fitch downgrades French credit rating
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
🔄Bayrou out, Lecornu in
💭So, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu
🇩🇰Denmark chooses Franco-Italian SAMP/T over US Patriots
📜Far-right plans amnesty law for Le Pen
💶Fitch downgrades French credit rating
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
🇫🇷Lecornu Replaces Bayrou, Fitch Downgrades France, and RN Plans Le Pen Amnesty Law
Sébastien Lecornu becomes France’s new Prime Minister after François Bayrou’s fall, Fitch cuts the nation’s credit rating, and the Rassemblement National works on Le Pen amnesty law.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
September 14, 2025 at 10:38 AM
This week in The French Dispatch 🇫🇷
🔄Bayrou out, Lecornu in
💭So, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu
🇩🇰Denmark chooses Franco-Italian SAMP/T over US Patriots
📜Far-right plans amnesty law for Le Pen
💶Fitch downgrades French credit rating
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
🔄Bayrou out, Lecornu in
💭So, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu
🇩🇰Denmark chooses Franco-Italian SAMP/T over US Patriots
📜Far-right plans amnesty law for Le Pen
💶Fitch downgrades French credit rating
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/lecornu-re...
The annual 'State of the European Union' speech took place on Wednesday 10 September, but what did European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen say to European citizens across the continent?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/state-of-t...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/state-of-t...
🇪🇺Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union Speech (Transcript)
The annual 'State of the European Union' speech took place on Wednesday 10 September, but what did European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen say to European citizens across the continent?
www.frenchdispatch.eu
September 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The annual 'State of the European Union' speech took place on Wednesday 10 September, but what did European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen say to European citizens across the continent?
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/state-of-t...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/state-of-t...
🇫🇷Breakdown of vote of confidence in François Bayrou’s government
September 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
🇫🇷Breakdown of vote of confidence in François Bayrou’s government
🇫🇷Vote of confidence in François Bayrou’s government in the Assemblée Nationale:
For - 194
Against - 364
Total votes - 573
Votes expressed - 558
Bayrou must now resign as Prime Minister
For - 194
Against - 364
Total votes - 573
Votes expressed - 558
Bayrou must now resign as Prime Minister
September 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
🇫🇷Vote of confidence in François Bayrou’s government in the Assemblée Nationale:
For - 194
Against - 364
Total votes - 573
Votes expressed - 558
Bayrou must now resign as Prime Minister
For - 194
Against - 364
Total votes - 573
Votes expressed - 558
Bayrou must now resign as Prime Minister