François Hollande

As strikes begin Hollande insists labour law reform will not be removed

France — Link

The French president said the contoversial legislation offered 'best performance for businesses' and 'new rights to employees' will not be withdrawn.

Hollande and Merkel remember WWI dead 100 years after Battle of Verdun

France — Link

Two leaders mark the 300-day 1916 offensive in north-east France that claimed more than 300,000 lives in one of the war's bloodiest battles.

France labour dispute: Hollande 'won't back down' over protests

France — Link

Speaking from G7 summit in Japan, French president insisted the changes that have sparked protests, strikes and blockades are 'good reforms'.

France strikes leave fuel stations dry and pose threat to Euro 2016

France — Link

President Hollande is forced to deny his country faces a ‘May revolution’, comparable to the students and workers’ revolt of May 1968.

No theory ruled out says President Hollande after EgyptAir crash

France — Link

French president and Egyptian premier say terrorism is possible explanation for sudden crash of plane carrying 66 people over Mediterranean.

'No alternative': President Hollande emulates Thatcher

France — Analysis

The late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher famously said: “There is no alternative”. This phrase, abbreviated to TINA, became a symbol of her liberal economic approach to government. Now, faced with potential rivals from the Left ahead of the 2017 presidential election, the French president François Hollande has coined his own version of TINA by declaring: “There is no alternative on the Left outside the line that I represent”. Hubert Huertas examines Hollande's high-risk strategy.

Truckers block roads in week of protest in France

France — Link

Unions kicked off a fresh wave of street protests and strikes across France over labour reforms which President Hollande insists will go ahead.

President Hollande backs EDF’s nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Britain

France — Link

French head of state threw his weight behind it after his energy minister Ségolène Royal questioned financial sense of £18 billion project.

Hollande refuses to back down over labour reforms

France — Link

French head of state said he preferred people to have image of a president who conducted reforms rather than one who has done nothing.

Boko Haram 'still a threat' warns Hollande on Nigeria visit

International — Link

The French president held talks on the Islamist terrorist group with his Nigerian counterpart ahead of a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the conflict.

The French government’s intolerable snub to democracy

France — Opinion

Democracy belongs to neither the Left nor the Right, and when it is flouted by governments of either political side every democrat worthy of the name must simply say “no”, argues Mediapart editor-in-chief Edwy Plenel following the socialist government’s decision to force through parliament, without a vote, its controversial labour law reforms which, he writes in this op-ed, represent a social regression for every employee in France.

French economy minister Macron to bid for presidency

France — Investigation

French economy minister Emmanuel Macron is to announce he will make a bid as an independent candidate for the French presidency in elections due in 2017, Mediapart has been told by well-informed sources. Macron, 38, who launched his own political movement last month, is reported to be actively seeking funds for his campaign. The move, which Mediapart understands may be announced in early June, could well be the final blow for President François Hollande’s own ambitions for a second term in office and has heightened tensions between Macron and Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Laurent Mauduit reports.

Hollande threat to block EU-US trade pact

International — Link

The French president said he would reject Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership 'at this stage' because he was against unregulated free trade.

Hollande condemns attack on Muslim prayer hall in Corsica

France — Link

President's comments came after one of the largest prayer halls in French island's capital Ajaccio suffered major damage in a fire.

French economy grows faster than expected as consumer spending returns

France — Link

The 0.5% growth in first quarter is good news for embattled president François Hollande as he tries to convince public the situation is improving.