The Local France

French socialist primary: 'utopian' Hamon or 'fighter' Valls?

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 09:33:26 +0100

France's Socialists face a stark choice in Sunday's presidential primary between diehard leftist Benoit Hamon and reformist ex-prime minister Manuel Valls.

France's Socialist rebels refuse to back budget

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:23:00 +0200

A group of rebels in France’s ruling Socialist Party flexed their muscles on Tuesday by refusing to back the government’s 2015 budget in a parliamentary vote. It's another sign of a growing split in President François Hollande's party.

New French PM Valls faces 'moment of truth'

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:33:00 +0200

In what has been dubbed his "moment of truth", France’s freshly-minted Prime Minister Manuel Valls and his new government face a vote of confidence in the French parliament on Tuesday after the PM presents his objectives for boosting the flagging economy.

First Socialist French PM Pierre Mauroy dies

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:17:00 +0200

Pierre Mauroy, France's first Socialist Prime Minister, died on Friday. Mauroy, 84, was head of the French government from 1981-1984, under President François Mitterand. He had undergone surgery for a tumour on his lung last April.

Straight French MPs share kiss of solidarity

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:18:00 +0100

Two French politicians caused a stir when they were caught on camera sharing a smack on the lips in Paris on Sunday. The gesture by the heterosexual, married men was "a kiss of solidarity" with the pro-gay marriage movement.

Drop 35-hour week: government report

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:30:00 +0200

A new government report on international French business competitiveness has suggested ending the the 35 hour working week.

Man with fire extinguisher attacks Hollande HQ

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:45:14 +0200

A man has been arrested after throwing a fire extinguisher at new president Francois Hollande’s Socialist Party headquarters in Paris, after a dispute with his local council.

French watchdog 'targeted left-wing police'

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:58:00 +0100

The French police watchdog is being investigated for rigging an investigation into an alleged trafficking ring within the police to discredit policemen close to the Socialist Party.