Edouard Balladur obituary French prime minister beaten to the presidency by his former ally Jacques Chirac at the 1995 election The Guardian - UK · Sep 1
Édouard Balladur Dies at 97: Former French Prime Minister Who Led France Through the 1990s Édouard Balladur, former French prime minister, passed away at 97. Known for economic reforms and privatisation, his legacy shaped France's centre-right politics and modern economic policies. International Business Times UK · Sep 1
Former French PM Édouard Balladur, once defeated by ally Jacques Chirac, dies at 97 Édouard Balladur, who served as prime minister of France from 1993 to 1995, died on Monday at the age of 97. He led a "cohabitation" government under Socialist president François Mitterrand before waging a bitter battle for the presidency against his friend Jacques Chirac in 1995 – a race he… France 24 · Aug 31
This Week in History: Versace murdered, Chirac survives neo-Nazi plot, and Kennedys die in crash Explore how major events between 13 and 19 July were captured on The Independent’s front pages The Independent UK · Jul 14
Serve and protect: How Europe can stabilise the Middle East by saving its culture and infrastructure Europe can save ancient civilisations and stablise the Middle East. It's an ambitious but achievable target according to Nabil Al Lao, founder of Damascus Opera theatre and a refugee in Italy for more than a decade and Maria Francesca Corrao, a professor of Arabic at LUISS University. Euronews · Jul 10
Resistance fighter and historian Marc Bloch enters Paris's Pantheon French resistance fighter and historian Marc Bloch was inducted into the Pantheon in Paris on Tuesday in a sombre ceremony, giving President Emmanuel Macron another chance to shape France’s national memory through one of the country’s most symbolic events. Radio France Internationale · Jun 23
Funeral for former French first lady Bernadette Chirac to take place in Paris The funeral of Bernadette Chirac, widow of former president Jacques Chirac, will take place on Friday at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris. Chirac died on June 5 at the age of 93. France 24 · Jun 12
Bernadette Chirac, France’s formidable former first lady, dies aged 93 Bernadette Chirac, the formidable former first lady of France who spent 12 years at the Élysée Palace beside President Jacques Chirac while forging her own political identity and transforming a children’s hospital charity into a national institution, has died aged 93. Radio France Internationale · Jun 6
Bernadette Chirac remembered as dedicated, discreet first lady PARIS - Bernadette Chirac, who has died aged 93, stood by her late husband and French president Jacques Chirac through thick and thin during 12 years as first lady, but also forged her own, more discreet, political career. Bangkok Post · Jun 6
Bernadette Chirac, formidable former first lady of France, dies at 93 Bernadette Chirac, the steel-willed former first lady of France, has died The Independent UK · Jun 6
Bernadette Chirac, widow of former French president, dies at 93 Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French president Jacques Chirac and a fixed point in her late husband's climb to the country's top political post, died on Saturday. She was 93. France 24 · Jun 6
Macron opens debate on reparations for France’s role in slave trade President Emmanuel Macron has said the “immense” issue of reparations for France’s role in the transatlantic slave trade must be addressed, but warned against “false promises” as demand grows for formal discussion on addressing the legacy of enslavement. Radio France Internationale · May 22
Down and then out in Paris and London? Why Starmer isn’t the only one with a popularity problem As continent faces tough headwinds, leaders are bearing brunt of delivering bad news to frustrated electorates The Guardian - UK · May 16
This Week in History: General elections, a deadly cyclone, and a new King Explore how major events between 4 and 10 May were captured on The Independent’s front pages The Independent UK · May 5
Radio France Internationale · Mar 26 Macron leads national tribute to reformist ex-PM Lionel Jospin French President Emmanuel Macron praised Lionel Jospin as a reformer during a memorial service on Thursday at Les Invalides in Paris for the former prime minister, who died on Sunday aged 88.
Euronews · Mar 26 France bids farewell to former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin who 'fought for justice and freedom' Jospin, who introduced the 35-hour workweek and extended free healthcare when he was head of government from 1997 to 2002, died on Sunday, aged 88.
The Guardian - UK · Mar 23 Lionel Jospin obituary Socialist prime minister of France whose defeat by the far right in the 2002 presidential elections caused a seismic shock
The Independent UK · Mar 23 Former French prime minister and architect of 35-hour week dies Jospin became prime minister in 1997 and led a broad left-wing government under French conservative President Jacques Chirac
Radio France Internationale · Mar 23 Lionel Jospin, former PM who reshaped France's modern left, dies aged 88 Former French prime minister Lionel Jospin, a Socialist reformer who introduced the 35-hour working week and civil partnerships for same-sex couples, has died aged 88.
Euronews · Mar 23 Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, architect of 35-hour work week, dies at 88 Jospin, who was head of government from 1997 to 2002 before losing to the far right in presidential polls, has died aged 88, his family said on Monday.
Radio France Internationale · Jan 8 The ambiguous legacy of François Mitterrand, France's transformational president Three decades after his death, François Mitterrand remains a defining yet contested figure in French politics. His biographer tells RFI why Mitterand's ambiguous blend of ideology and power continues to shape political debates, both at home and abroad.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 30, 2025 Cabinet Office accused of covering up for royal family after blocking release of Andrew documents Minutes of travel expenses of former Duke of York as UK trade envoy withheld from National Archives
The Independent UK · Dec 30, 2025 No 10 blocked release of Tony Blair’s call with French president after Princess Diana’s death Officials ruled that publication of a memo outlining the discussion between Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac was ‘fundamentally not in the public interest’, newly-declassified documents reveal
The Independent UK · Dec 30, 2025 No 10 blocked FoI release of Blair call with Chirac after Diana’s death Newly-released files show Downing St officials argued conversations with foreign leaders must remain confidential.
Radio France Internationale · Dec 14, 2025 Pont Neuf rewrapped: how Paris's oldest bridge became new again Artist JR will take over Pont Neuf, the French capital’s oldest surviving bridge, for a vast installation next summer, the City of Paris has announced. The project is inspired by another intervention 40 years earlier, which shifted the boundaries of what artists could do with France’s monuments.