The Latest Breaking News from Élisabeth Borne

Female politicians can be punished at the polls for not smiling – but men aren’t

When election time comes around, campaign posters feature candidates with a determined look in their eye, their local promises, well thought-out slogans in full view, and a smile – which particularly among women politicians has become something of a quiet, political prerequisite.

The Conversation · Mar 25

Outgoing French PM says snap election less likely as budget talks advance

France’s outgoing Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, on Wednesday made a last-ditch bid to unite rival parties and pull his collapsed government out of political deadlock – hoping to agree on a budget and head off the threat of a snap election.

Radio France Internationale · Oct 8, 2025

France to use UK drama Adolescence to teach teenagers about toxic masculinity

French education ministry follows Britain and Netherlands in incorporating Netflix hit into school curriculums

The Guardian - UK · Jun 9, 2025

France to tighten mobile phone ban in middle schools

Pupils to be separated from devices for entire school day from September after trial of ‘digital pause’ scheme

The Guardian - UK · Apr 10, 2025

French Ministry of Education cancels retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast' deemed 'inappropriate'

The new adaptation of the fairytale had been commissioned for a campaign designed to give 10-year-old pupils a book to read over the summer.

Euronews · Mar 20, 2025

New government of French PM Bayrou settles in under shadow of no-confidence vote

The new government of Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a frantic fortnight as it battles to establish its credibility and fend off cross-party attempts to kill it in its infancy.

Radio France Internationale · Dec 25, 2024

French government in limbo after elections produce hung parliament

France's legislative elections have resulted in a hung parliament, with the National Assembly divided into three distinct blocs. Although the leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, came out on top with 182 seats, it does not have an absolute majority. While Macron has asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to remain…

France 24 · Jul 8, 2024

The Guardian view on Macron’s new prime minister: youthful optimism may not suffice

Editorial: Gabriel Attal, the youngest-ever occupant of the Matignon, has his work cut out to turn around the government’s fortunes ahead of June elections

The Guardian - UK · Jan 9, 2024

Gabriel Attal’s real challenge will be to break French parliament’s political deadlock

The new PM was chosen to boost Emmanuel Macron’s agenda but, as his predecessor found out, pushing through legislation won’t be easy

The Guardian - UK · Jan 9, 2024

How Gabriel Attal became France’s youngest-ever prime minister

After a swift rise up the ranks, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal took the reins as France’s new prime minister on Tuesday. With a background steeped in privilege, the first openly gay head of government is expected to bring new energy to President Emmanuel Macron’s government, which has been weakened by months…

France 24 · Jan 9, 2024