Politics of France | GlobalPost

Anti-government street protests mark Hollande's first year anniversary

Agence France-PresseMay 5, 2013 15:31

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Sunday to mark Socialist President Francois Hollande's first year in office by accusing him of turning his back on the left. On the eve of the anniversary of his May 6 win last year over right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy, the Communist-backed Left Front gathered supporters for the march from the Bastille, the iconic square of the French Revolution.

Tens of thousands of leftists march in Paris to denounce president's policies as austerity

The Canadian PressMay 5, 2013 11:00

PARIS - Tens of thousands of supporters of leftist parties marched through central Paris on Sunday to express disappointment with President Francois Hollande's first year in power, criticizing the leader for reneging on his promises to rein in the world of finance and enact economic stimulus. Hollande, a Socialist, rose to the presidency last May, promising to spare France the austerity measures imposed elsewhere in Europe. And the French government has largely avoided the deep spending cuts, big tax hikes and the wide-ranging reforms of many of its neighbours.

Thousands mark Hollande's first year with protests

Agence France-PresseMay 5, 2013 10:00

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Sunday to mark Socialist President Francois Hollande's first year in office by accusing him of turning his back on the left. On the eve of the anniversary of Hollande's May 6 win last year over right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy, the Communist-backed Left Front gathered supporters for a march starting at the Bastille, the iconic square of the French Revolution.

Thousands to mark Hollande's first year with protests

Agence France-PresseMay 5, 2013 06:30

Thousands are to protest in France on Sunday to mark President Francois Hollande's first year in office, with some accusing the Socialist leader of turning his back on the left and others denouncing his backing of gay marriage. On the eve of the anniversary of Hollande's May 6 win last year over right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy, the Communist-backed Left Front is hoping to rally 100,000 people for a march starting at the Bastille, the iconic square of the French Revolution.

France's invigorated far-right party marches in Paris

Agence France-PresseMay 1, 2013 09:31

Hundreds of activists marched in Paris Wednesday behind the leader of the far-right National Front, which is riding high on a wave of discontent over the country's stagnating economy. The National Front, which stages a procession through the French capital on May 1 every year to celebrate folk heroine Joan of Arc, is currently doing well in opinion polls on the back of the economic crisis and a deeply unpopular government.

First year of turmoil for France's feisty first lady

Agence France-PresseApril 30, 2013 22:45

Just like her partner the president, Valerie Trierweiler has had to abandon some of her pre-election promises over the course of his first year in office. A twice-divorced career journalist, Trierweiler arrived at the Elysee Palace declaring she was going to redefine the role of first lady to the point that they'd have to come up with an alternative term. "I'm more careful now," she admitted 10 chastening months later, by which time her career was on hold and her time consumed by the kind of humanitarian work that first ladies specialise in.

Lonely year for French president, calm and unpopular at time of crisis

The Canadian PressApril 29, 2013 08:49

PARIS - The sounds of raucous protest echo in the Presidential Palace, unemployment is rising to levels not seen in over a decade, and his country's economy has been called a potential time bomb at the heart of Europe. Francois Hollande, among the most unpopular French leaders in modern history, remains calm.

French ministers warn against picking fight with Germany

Agence France-PresseApril 29, 2013 07:31

Top French ministers warned Monday against picking a fight with Germany after their Socialist Party accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of being "selfish" in her drive for eurozone austerity. With Franco-German relations already at their lowest level in years, senior government officials sought to head off further tensions with Berlin over the leaked draft of a Socialist Party document on Europe. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that while President Francois Hollande's government welcomed debate on European economic policy, it must not descend into open conflict.

French ministers warn against picking fight with Germany

Agence France-PresseApril 29, 2013 04:00

Senior French ministers warned Monday against picking a fight with Germany after the ruling Socialists accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of being "selfish" in her drive for eurozone austerity. "Debate yes, pugilism no. It is not normal to call into question such or such a leader," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Europe 1 radio. "There is no reason to face off one country against another." In a draft document on Europe leaked on Friday, President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party pilloried Merkel for her insistance on austerity as a solution to Europe's debt crisis.

Unpopular French leader vows to 'hold firm' as crisis rages

Agence France-PresseApril 28, 2013 11:45

His government has been damaged by a major scandal, his country's economy is stagnant and his popularity at a record low, but French President Francois Hollande has vowed to "hold firm" and not to be "intimidated". As the one-year anniversary of his election nears, opinion polls show the Socialist leader, perceived by some as indecisive and meek, has become deeply unpopular at a time of economic and social malaise in France.