Marine Le Pen’s election ban in France sparks outcry from global far-right leaders

Prominent far-right and nationalist figures on Monday rallied around Marine Le Pen after a court sentenced her to a five-year ban on running for office. “Je suis Marine!” or “I’m Marine,” Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orban posted in French on X, in …

As new Michelin guide to France comes out, chefs hold their breaths

Chefs across France are waiting for one of the most exciting and dreaded moments of the year: publication of the new annual guide from Michelin with its highly coveted stars. The famous red bible for gastronomes still makes and breaks cooking careers, …

France’s Le Pen sentenced to 4 years, barred from office after embezzlement conviction

A French court on Monday barred Marine Le Pen from seeking public office for five years, with immediate effect, for embezzlement – a hammer blow to the far-right leader’s presidential hopes. The judge also gave Le Pen a four-year prison sentence – two …

France, Belgium scoff at anti-DEI letter from Trump administration

“We have a culture of non-discrimination in Europe and we must continue that,” Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon said Sunday evening on the French-language TV channel RTL-TVi. “We have no lessons to learn from the boss of America.” Several French …

France and Slovakia: Believing, loving, and working together

For three decades, The Slovak Spectator has been a trusted source for Slovakia’s diplomatic community. Marking this milestone, we turned to some of the ambassadors currently serving in Bratislava with a question: What moments or achievements in their …

Thales reorganises its support capabilities for France

The French defence ministry’s integrated structure for through-life support of land forces equipment (SIMMT1) has awarded Thales the ABSOLU2 operational support and logistics contract. In terms of its scale and format, the 10-year contract is the first of …

France's Le Pen faces crunch day in graft trial that could kill her presidential hopes

By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces one of the defining days of her political career on Monday, when a court rules whether she is guilty of embezzlement in a trial that could see her barred from the 2027 …

France's Marine Le Pen found guilty in graft trial, awaits decision on potential ban from politics

A French court found far-right leader Marine Le Pen guilty on Monday of misappropriating EU funds and the sentencing expected shortly could see her barred from the 2027 presidential race, upending politics in France. Le Pen, head of the far-right National …

France and Poland propose changes to the CO2 tax

Why contactless payments under €50 are sometimes rejected in France

Sometimes - and seemingly at random - a PIN number is required even on purchases under €50 Leitenberger Photography/Shutterstock Sometimes people are required - seemingly at random - to enter a PIN code when making a contactless payment in France. Here …