France

With a charismatic blend of youthful vigour and strategic communication, far-right leader Jordan Bardella has captivated millions on social media, a sign of the "Bardella mania" that has swept through France’s younger demographic. At just 28, Bardella's ascent to the top of the National Rally party formerly led by Marine Le Pen and Macron's call for snap legislative elections may well pave the road to the prime minister's office. 

France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron's plans to limit the French military footprint in the region, three sources told AFP.

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudéa-Castéra on Monday hailed a statement by football superstar Kylian Mbappé urging voters not to back political extremes in the upcoming snap elections as exemplary. The backing came as Spain's goalkeeper suggested Monday that it was not the French captain's place to speak up "against extremes and divisive ideas" ahead of general elections. 

A Paris court ruled on Friday to overturn an earlier decision by France's conservative Republicans party to expel Eric Ciotti as the party chief, said Ciotti, in a move that could boost the far-right National Rally party ahead of parliament elections.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said he had called legislative elections in a bid to prevent the far right from winning the presidency in 2027 when his second and final term ends. He called on all French parties “able to say no to extremes” to unite ahead of the snap elections he announced after his centre-right alliance took a humiliating beating in the European Parliament vote on Sunday.

The leader of France's main right-wing party on Tuesday said he backed an alliance with the far right of Marine Le Pen in snap legislative elections, triggering a crisis within his own party and fury from the government. 

The former National Rally leader has promised to defend the interests of the French people

President’s shock move attempts to thwart advance of far-right Rassemblement National

The French president also reiterated that Kiev can carry out long-range missile strikes on Russian soil

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday began a state visit to France marking 80 years since the World War II D-Day landings, with a new war shadowing Europe as Ukraine battles Russian invasion.

France has been accused of a controversial act to try and improve its image ahead of the Paris Olympics.

• • Rosatom said to have contacts with junta on French-held mines
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Senegal's prime minister Ousmane Sonko raised the possibility of closing French military bases in the West African country on Thursday in a wide-ranging speech that also touched on the euro-backed CFA franc currency, oil and gas deals and LGBTQ rights.

France has taken the dramatic step of blocking TikTok in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia, as part of efforts to quell days of violent unrest.

Several days of riots in New Caledonia come after Paris proposed changes to the local voting system

New Caledonia’s international airport is closed and Australians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, as protests turn deadly.