The Local France

Juppé slams Fillon but says he will NOT run for French presidency

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:05:45 +0100

Alain Juppé ruled himself out of running for the French presidency once and for all on Monday after many in his party had appealed to him to run as an alternative to the under-fire François Fillon. Juppé had some stern words for Fillon.

What you need to know about Alain Juppé, the man who could be called back from the dead

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:52:58 +0100

With François Fillon's campaign in turmoil due to scandal, there is a growing possibility that his defeated rival Alain Juppé will step forward and save the right's hopes of winning the French presidential election. Here's what you need to know about him.

Presidential rivals battle for soul of French family

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 09:25:44 +0100

The battle for France's coveted right-wing presidential nomination has become a contest among two visions of French society: one traditionalist, the other more progressive, but both claiming the mantle of Pope Francis.

French rightwing presidential hopefuls spar on abortion

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:10:26 +0100

The subject of abortion burst onto the stage of France's rightwing presidential primary on Tuesday with the frontrunner Francois Fillon fending off accusations of being ambiguous on the right of women to terminate a pregnancy.

Surprise duo in France's rightwing primary runoff

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 09:14:36 +0100

Former prime minister Francois Fillon's stunning upset in France's rightwing primary set up a run-off duel with another ex-premier, Alain Juppe, that is widely expected to decide the country's next leader.

Sarkozy on edge as French right holds president primary

Sun, 20 Nov 2016 14:47:55 +0100

French voters went to the polls Sunday for the first round of a US-style primary to choose a rightwing candidate for next year's presidential elections.

Three-way race in French right's presidential primary

Sun, 20 Nov 2016 11:29:10 +0100

France's right-wing presidential hopefuls kick off their nominating contest Sunday as a sudden tightening of the race cast doubt on ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy's chances of regaining the Elysee Palace.

'France is not the US... and I’m not Clinton!' says Juppé

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 20:10:40 +0100

The frontrunner to be the next president of France has tried to quash any similarities between Donald Trump’s shock victory and what could happen in next May’s French presidential election.

Juppé versus Sarkozy: A corrupt past or shady future?

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 19:41:12 +0200

The two favourites to win the centre right primary and perhaps next year’s presidential election have traded blows over who has the most questionable legal record. Who would you trust the most?

Race officially opens to be the next president of France

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:01:24 +0200

France's presidential race accelerates on Wednesday as the candidates vying for the conservative nomination, including ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy and favourite Alain Juppé, officially open their campaigns to try to win back the Elysee Palace.

UMP criticises Copé's 'pain au chocolat polemic'

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:16:00 +0200

Jean-François Copé, candidate to be leader of the UMP, has received criticism from his own party as well as the opposition over an anecdote about a boy who had his pain au chocolat stolen from him because it was Ramadan.

Russia 'isolated' due to Syria stance: Juppé

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:25:00 +0200

France warned on Thursday that Russia's refusal to support efforts to put pressure on Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime was plunging Moscow deeper into international isolation on the issue.

France not bogged down in Libya: Juppé

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:03:11 +0200

The international military operation in Libya is not bogged down, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Thursday, insisting that rebel forces were making progress in the fight against Muammar Qaddafi.

France and Britain seek exit from Libya

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:57:42 +0200

With their Libya bombing campaign dragging on unresolved, France and Britain have been forced to accept ruler Muammar Qaddafi may stay there if he quits power, despite calls for international justice.

Qaddafi could stay in Libya if he quits: France

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:05:00 +0200

France accepts Muammar Qaddafi could stay in Libya if he quits politics, under a ceasefire deal to end a conflict with rebels backed by Paris, the French foreign minister said on Wednesday.

France eyes diplomatic opening in Libyan crisis

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:54:14 +0200

French and Libyan officials talked up Tuesday the chances of negotiating Muammar Qaddafi's withdrawal from power and an end to the conflict wracking his country, after months of military stalemate.

France 'in contact, not negotiating' with Libya

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:42:00 +0200

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Tuesday that France had had "contacts" with the Libyan regime concerning the departure of leader Muammar Qaddafi but no real negotiations had taken place.

France backs 'political solutions' in Libya: Juppé

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0200

France vowed Sunday it would work with the African Union to find "political solutions" to the Libya crisis, but insisted that the ouster of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi was a "key point".

France welcomes new nation of South Sudan

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:46:17 +0200

France on Saturday recognised the newly created Republic of South Sudan, President Nicolas Sarkozy said, calling for establishing diplomatic relations.