A STUMBLE IN PARISPhilippe is attempting to unite moderates from the centre to the right, but is meeting with resistance or finding people undecided.The former prime minister has called on moderates and the Republican right to put forward a single candidate for the Élysée, but no one has taken up the invitation. Primaries, personal rivalries and a desire to put Macronism behind them are keeping the centre divided.byMauro Zanon11 SEP 26
separated at birthDefence, the EU and NATO: Mélenchon’s red-brown ties with the AfD and RNAgainst the ‘Europe of war’: Bardella’s remarks in Cernobbio echo the statements made by the leader of La France insoumise. And they suggest a worrying run-off in ParisbyMauro Zanon8 SEP 26
the interviewVincent Bolloré’s plan to take France by stormCamille Vigogne Le Coat has written an investigative book on the Breton tycoon and tells us about the entrepreneur’s messianic project, at the heart of which lies the Institut de l’Espérance, the Catholic-conservative think tank secretly established in April 2025 and modelled on the Heritage Foundation byMauro Zanon4 SEP 26
Primary elections in FranceA cry is rising from the French left: everyone except GlucksmannIn France, the rebuilding of the centre-left hinges on the primaries, which, however, risk further fracturing an already fragile camp. Three parties are called upon to choose a joint candidate for the 2027 presidential election byMauro Zanon2 SEP 26
towards 2027France and ‘courage’: the first debate beginsAmong the candidates in the French presidential election, some stir up controversy, some inspire enthusiasm, some offer reassurance, and some remain silent. The applause meter, bucking the trend, seems to favour the more moderate programmesbyMauro Zanon28 AUG 26
The caseThe case of the Frenchman arrested in Bari with three missiles in his van highlights a European short-circuit on armsA driver has been detained in Italy for over two months following the seizure in Bari of three Akeron missiles which, according to the defence, were destined for a NATO base in Greece. However, the documentation has not been accepted in Italy. Paris remains silent and the MBDA consortium has not commentedbyMauro Zanon26 AUG 26
in FranceHunting down the Phrygians. Who they are, how they operate and where the officials preparing Mélenchon’s rise to power meetThe “Phrygiens”, a circle of senior civil servants, are anonymously supporting the leader of France insoumise in his bid for the presidency, producing notes, reports and studies to bolster his credibilitybyMauro Zanon25 AUG 26
the arrested artistsParis sought to foster cultural ties with Iran. Tehran responded with kicks and punchesFrance is banking on cultural diplomacy as a tool of soft power, but for the Iranian regime this constitutes ‘blatant interference’ in its internal affairs. byMauro Zanon22 AUG 26
France’s last royal familyLe Monde’s major investigation into Bernard Arnault’s empireThe succession at LVMH, the global luxury empire, remains a taboo subject, and the French daily paints a picture that is very different from the image of unity the group has always sought to project. The silent war between the five children of “Monsieur Bernard”byMauro Zanon28 JUL 26
The case“It was Allah who ordered me to do it.” The man who stabbed three women in Paris has been arrestedThe attacker struck near Porte de Clichy with two knives. He was stopped by an off-duty police officer. The victims included a pregnant woman. The public prosecutor’s office is investigating the case as attempted aggravated murderbyMauro Zanon27 JUL 26