Sophie Pedder
@sophiepedder.bsky.social
Paris Bureau Chief, The Economist. Author of “Revolution Française: Emmanuel Macron and the quest to reinvent a nation” (Bloomsbury)
In which Bardella calls for a “conversation” with the ECB about supporting French sovereign debt…
November 7, 2025 at 10:43 AM
In which Bardella calls for a “conversation” with the ECB about supporting French sovereign debt…
Our cover this week
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
October 31, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Our cover this week
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
“The belt-tightening needed to stabilise the debt-to-GDP ratio in 🇫🇷 is >3% of GDP….Of G7 economies only 🇨🇦 enjoys low debt, a small necessary adjustment and the space to raise taxes. 🇫🇷 looks bad by all 3 measures”
Timely analysis of the risks of public debt by my colleague @curr.bsky.social
Timely analysis of the risks of public debt by my colleague @curr.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
“The belt-tightening needed to stabilise the debt-to-GDP ratio in 🇫🇷 is >3% of GDP….Of G7 economies only 🇨🇦 enjoys low debt, a small necessary adjustment and the space to raise taxes. 🇫🇷 looks bad by all 3 measures”
Timely analysis of the risks of public debt by my colleague @curr.bsky.social
Timely analysis of the risks of public debt by my colleague @curr.bsky.social
France’s new prime minister is…the very one who resigned on Monday, Sébastien Lecornu. It rounds off the most chaotic and absurdist week in French politics in modern times
October 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
France’s new prime minister is…the very one who resigned on Monday, Sébastien Lecornu. It rounds off the most chaotic and absurdist week in French politics in modern times
Despite everything else going on, France last night honoured Robert Badinter, the former justice minister who ended the death penalty in 🇫🇷 in 1981. He entered the Panthéon in a moving moment of national tribute that the French do so well
October 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Despite everything else going on, France last night honoured Robert Badinter, the former justice minister who ended the death penalty in 🇫🇷 in 1981. He entered the Panthéon in a moving moment of national tribute that the French do so well
Desperately seeking someone
After the most chaotic week in modern political life France is still searching for a prime minister
economist.com/europe/2025/...
After the most chaotic week in modern political life France is still searching for a prime minister
economist.com/europe/2025/...
October 10, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Desperately seeking someone
After the most chaotic week in modern political life France is still searching for a prime minister
economist.com/europe/2025/...
After the most chaotic week in modern political life France is still searching for a prime minister
economist.com/europe/2025/...
For sure, Macron’s troubles are partly of his own making. But there is something immensely sad about a pro-European leader and standard-bearer for the democratic centre ending up with such a political mess
October 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
For sure, Macron’s troubles are partly of his own making. But there is something immensely sad about a pro-European leader and standard-bearer for the democratic centre ending up with such a political mess
What an absolute mess. The new 🇫🇷 PM Sébastien Lecornu has resigned after less than four weeks in the job. This is the curt communiqué just issued by the presidency
October 6, 2025 at 7:54 AM
What an absolute mess. The new 🇫🇷 PM Sébastien Lecornu has resigned after less than four weeks in the job. This is the curt communiqué just issued by the presidency
The two most interesting appointments in a pretty unchanged new 🇫🇷 government (just unveiled) are @rolandlescure.bsky.social as new finance min and the return of Bruno Le Maire to govt, at defence. Otherwise most big jobs, including @jnbarrot.bsky.social at foreign, stay as they were under Bayrou…
October 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The two most interesting appointments in a pretty unchanged new 🇫🇷 government (just unveiled) are @rolandlescure.bsky.social as new finance min and the return of Bruno Le Maire to govt, at defence. Otherwise most big jobs, including @jnbarrot.bsky.social at foreign, stay as they were under Bayrou…
‼️🇫🇷 Emmanuel Macron has picked his next PM, the fifth since 2022: Sébastien Lecornu, the 39-year-old current defence minister (and ex-Republican) and Macron loyalist
September 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
‼️🇫🇷 Emmanuel Macron has picked his next PM, the fifth since 2022: Sébastien Lecornu, the 39-year-old current defence minister (and ex-Republican) and Macron loyalist
Bond vigilantes take aim at France
economist.com/finance-and-...
economist.com/finance-and-...
September 6, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Bond vigilantes take aim at France
economist.com/finance-and-...
economist.com/finance-and-...
On August 25 1944, after General Leclerc led the 🇫🇷 2nd armoured division into Paris, the French capital was liberated. There was no negotiation. Choltitz, the commander of the German garrison, surrendered
August 25, 2025 at 8:58 AM
On August 25 1944, after General Leclerc led the 🇫🇷 2nd armoured division into Paris, the French capital was liberated. There was no negotiation. Choltitz, the commander of the German garrison, surrendered
This was a tough assignment. Provence is not just a destination. It’s a lifestyle brand
economist.com/culture/2025...
from @Economist
economist.com/culture/2025...
from @Economist
August 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This was a tough assignment. Provence is not just a destination. It’s a lifestyle brand
economist.com/culture/2025...
from @Economist
economist.com/culture/2025...
from @Economist
Big news. Macron says France will recognise a Palestinian state. He will do this formally at the United Nations GA in New York in September
July 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Big news. Macron says France will recognise a Palestinian state. He will do this formally at the United Nations GA in New York in September
The 🇫🇷 defence minister announces a new chief of the 🇫🇷 armed forces, air force General Fabien Mandon (left) to replace General Thierry Burkhard (right). Burkhard has served in this role since 2021 and Macron, who has always worked well with him, already extended his term by a year
July 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The 🇫🇷 defence minister announces a new chief of the 🇫🇷 armed forces, air force General Fabien Mandon (left) to replace General Thierry Burkhard (right). Burkhard has served in this role since 2021 and Macron, who has always worked well with him, already extended his term by a year
Sad, delusional and dangerous from Johnson. What a contrast with George Osborne’s words to Starmer and Macron last week:
“Congratulations for bringing some sanity and fraternity back to the relationship between 🇬🇧 and 🇫🇷. That’s exactly what we both and the world needs more of right now"
“Congratulations for bringing some sanity and fraternity back to the relationship between 🇬🇧 and 🇫🇷. That’s exactly what we both and the world needs more of right now"
July 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Sad, delusional and dangerous from Johnson. What a contrast with George Osborne’s words to Starmer and Macron last week:
“Congratulations for bringing some sanity and fraternity back to the relationship between 🇬🇧 and 🇫🇷. That’s exactly what we both and the world needs more of right now"
“Congratulations for bringing some sanity and fraternity back to the relationship between 🇬🇧 and 🇫🇷. That’s exactly what we both and the world needs more of right now"
Broadly positively ⬇️
July 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Broadly positively ⬇️
London getting ready to celebrate 🇫🇷 and 🇬🇧 !
Macron arrives today for the state visit for a French president since 2008. So good to see after the dismal “friend or foe” years
Macron arrives today for the state visit for a French president since 2008. So good to see after the dismal “friend or foe” years
July 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM
London getting ready to celebrate 🇫🇷 and 🇬🇧 !
Macron arrives today for the state visit for a French president since 2008. So good to see after the dismal “friend or foe” years
Macron arrives today for the state visit for a French president since 2008. So good to see after the dismal “friend or foe” years
Macron’s opening comments at this evening’s emergency National Defence and Security meeting at the Elysée in Paris:
“No purely military response can have the desired effects”
Diplomatic talks are needed to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and to avoid escalation
“No purely military response can have the desired effects”
Diplomatic talks are needed to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and to avoid escalation
June 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Macron’s opening comments at this evening’s emergency National Defence and Security meeting at the Elysée in Paris:
“No purely military response can have the desired effects”
Diplomatic talks are needed to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and to avoid escalation
“No purely military response can have the desired effects”
Diplomatic talks are needed to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and to avoid escalation
No reaction yet from Macron. This from Barrot, 🇫🇷 foreign minister, expressing “preoccupation”. France participated “neither in the strikes nor their planning”. Urges restraint and a return to talks
June 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM
No reaction yet from Macron. This from Barrot, 🇫🇷 foreign minister, expressing “preoccupation”. France participated “neither in the strikes nor their planning”. Urges restraint and a return to talks
Dassault salesman at Le Bourget today
June 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Dassault salesman at Le Bourget today
Worth noting the long and careful trajectory of France’s “right to die” bill, which the National Asembly passed yesterday by 305 votes to 199 against. It is the result of years of public debate, including a citizens’ assembly, and then a free parliamentary vote. Difficult subject, exemplary method
May 28, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Worth noting the long and careful trajectory of France’s “right to die” bill, which the National Asembly passed yesterday by 305 votes to 199 against. It is the result of years of public debate, including a citizens’ assembly, and then a free parliamentary vote. Difficult subject, exemplary method
Secular France’s adult baptism boom. How to explain an unexpected surge in Catholic fervour
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from @economist.com
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from @economist.com
May 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Secular France’s adult baptism boom. How to explain an unexpected surge in Catholic fervour
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from @economist.com
economist.com/europe/2025/...
from @economist.com