François Hollande

In-fighting and manoeuvring: the story behind the appointment of new French Prime Minister Manuel Valls

France

Former interior minister Manuel Valls officially took up office as France’s new prime minister on Tuesday in a handing over ceremony with the outgoing Jean-Marc Ayrault. The composition of the new government will be announced on Wednesday. President François Hollande’s nomination of Valls on Monday followed the Socialist Party’s historic debacle in local elections last weekend, but the move has met with mixed reaction among the ruling majority, divided into pro- and anti-Valls camps. Lénaïg Bredoux reports on the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that preceded his appointment, and hears from insiders on how, over several months, worsening relations between Ayrault and Hollande reached a point of no return.

Chinese President's visit to France marks major trade contracts

International — Link

A state visit to France by Chinese President Xi Jinping has rubber-stamped some 18 billion euros-worth of industrial and energy deals.

Closer ordered to pay damages to actress in Hollande affair

France — Link

The magazine must pay 15,000 euros for breaching Julie Gayet's privacy with photos revealing her relationship with the French president.

Hollande hit by National Front vote in municipal elections

France — Link

The far-right FN wins its first mayoral seat since 1995 and appears well placed to gain other towns as ruling socialists hit by record low turnout.

Hollande braces for pain as French begin local vote, far right set for gains

France — Link

Major gains possible for far-right National Front in elections for mayors across the country with president's poll ratings at record low.

French unions see modest turnout for anti-reform protests

France — Link

Paris police say 10,000 people joined demonstrations over Hollande's 'responsibility pact' which aims to slash labour costs, unions claim 60,000. 

Hollande hires gangster rap expert to write speeches

France — Link

Pierre-Yves Bocquet, graduate of top French school for civil servants and future presidents, has double life as Pierre Evil the hip hop music critic.

French central bank forecasts first-quarter growth of just 0.2 percent

France — Link

The country's statistics office also says that French industrial output began the year on a weak footing due to a slowdown in energy production.

French opinion survey rates Strauss-Kahn better leader than Hollande

France — Link

The poll shows most find the disgraced former IMF chief more competent than both François Hollande and his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hollande pledges France will strive to avoid CAR split

International — Link

On a visit to the Central African Republic, the French president pledged strong military support to avoid a break-up of the strife-torn country.

Security heads agenda during Hollande visit to Nigeria

International — Link

The French president, the only Western leader invited to Nigeria's centenary celebrations, pledged to support fight against terrorist groups.

Hollande phones Moroccan king to cool diplomatic spat

International — Link

The row centres on a French police bid to quizz Moroccan spy chief, and a French diplomat's alleged comments on rights abuses by Morocco.

Not enough - French feminists react to women resistance fighters in Panthéon

France — Link

Activists said they hoped for more after news that Germaine Tillion and Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz are to be placed in the Panthéon.

De Gaulle niece tipped for burial in male-dominated Panthéon

France — Link

Number of women buried at France’s famed memorial set to double as President Hollande prepares announcement on honouring France's greats.

President Hollande's high-risk strategy over free trade talks with US

International — Analysis

During his recent visit to Washington French president François Hollande surprised many observers by calling for a speeding up of the negotiations for a EU-US free trade agreement, the biggest deal of its kind in the world. The president's demands are in sharp contrast with France's earlier caution over the free trade zone, an issue which has provoked concern and opposition across Europe. For some, it also seems a curious stance to adopt just weeks before important European elections at which the proposed deal is set to be a controversial issue. Ludovic Lamant reports.