FRANCE: Sarkozy ally gets slapdown from prime minister
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux, who has made waves for a crackdown on Gypsies and is appealing a conviction for a racist slur, is under fire from the prime minister for criticising the “disproportionate” sentencing of seven police officers. Read More
FRANCE: After Parisian snow gridlock, the blame game begins
The harsh winter weather in Paris has settled down, but Prime Minister François Fillon set off a mini-storm of his own Thursday by blaming France’s national weather service for the gridlock during Wednesday’s uncommonly heavy snowfall. Read More
FRANCE: New cabinet unveiled as Sarkozy eyes 2012 polls
A new French cabinet was appointed under Prime Minister François Fillon on Sunday. The reshuffle is being viewed as President Sarkozy’s last opportunity to reinvigorate his struggling administration ahead of the presidential elections in 2012. Read More
FRANCE: Fillon reappointed premier, tasked with forming new government
Following the resignation of the government over the weekend, a required step before a cabinet reshuffle, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reappointed the popular Francois Fillon (pictured) as Prime Minister. Read More
FRANCE: François Fillon: the untouchable Prime Minister
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reappointed François Fillon as prime minister. The two politicians have had their differences in the past, so why has Sarkozy chosen to stick with his Prime Minister. Read More
FRANCE: Prime minister rejects ‘shooting galleries’ for drug addicts
In other European countries, giving drug addicts a controlled environment to inject themselves has been shown to save lives. But France’s Prime Minister François Fillon has rejected the idea despite calls for a parliamentary commission. Read More
DIPLOMACY: French PM declares ‘war’ on al Qaeda after hostage killed
France is now at war with Al Qaeda, France’s Prime Minister Francois Fillon (pictured) said Tuesday, after the group’s North African branch executed 78-year old French national Michel Germaneau. Read More
FRANCE: Minister’s costly trip bill sparks crackdown on official use of private jets
French ministers looking to hire private jets for official travel now need approval from the Prime Minister’s Office, after one minister’s 116,500 euro bill sparked national criticism. Read More
FRANCE: Government to drop carbon tax in another setback for Sarkozy
Prime Minister Fillon (pictured) indicated Tuesday that the government is set to drop plans for a carbon tax. The move is another blow for President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had labelled the bill a cornerstone of the fight against global warming. Read More