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☆ 'Let's bring France to a halt': Oil refineries blocked and trains halted by pension reform protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Christophe Archambault | Afp | Getty ImagesStrike action over plans to raise the pension age in France caused widespread disruption on Tuesday, as trains came to a near-standstill, many schools were shut and fuel deliveries were blocked from refineries. Lou Benoist | Afp | Getty ImagesEric Sellini, a representative from the CGT union at TotalEnergies, told Reuters that a strike blocking the Gonfreville refinery in Normandy would run until Thursday. Another at the Donges refinery in western France is set to run until Friday, he added. Sameer Al-doumy | Afp | Getty ImagesThe strikes come as French workers grapple with red-hot inflation, which accelerated unexpectedly in February to hit 6.2% year-on-year. Around two thirds of the public support protests against the pension reforms, according to an Elabe survey.

☆ French Protests Against Macron Pension Plan Draw Hundreds of Thousands
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Matthew Dalton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—Nearly a million French marched in the streets against President Emmanuel Macron ’s pension overhaul on Saturday, signaling that the opposition movement to Mr. Macron’s plans was holding up in a fourth round of nationwide protests. Labor unions organized the demonstrations on the weekend to draw more people into the streets rather than ask workers to strike for the fourth time in less than a month. More than a million people protested during the first strike organized last month, disrupting schools, factories and transport across the country.

☆ French Union Cuts Power to Pressure Macron on Pensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Matthew Dalton | Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The CGT is gearing up for another round of protests against a proposed pension overhaul. PARIS—To fight President Emmanuel Macron’s pension overhaul, France’s most militant labor union is pursuing a radical strategy: cutting electricity to his political supporters and the wealthy while handing out discounted power and gas to the public. During a nationwide strike last week, members of the far-left CGT union who work in the energy sector cut power to the office of a lawmaker from Mr. Macron’s party for more than three hours. On Monday, CGT energy workers in Marseille manipulated electricity and gas meters to cut bills for bakers who were protesting in the French port city against high energy prices. CGT’s leadership called such moves a “Robin Hood” operation and said they would continue as the country prepares for another national protest on Tuesday.

☆ France’s Macron Seeks Bigger Military, Leaner Pension System
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Stacy Meichtry | Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron ‘s pledge to increase military spending, a day after a million people hit the streets to protest his planned pension overhaul, illustrates the test facing European welfare systems as the costs of war in Ukraine pile up. On Friday, Mr. Macron vowed to raise military spending to 400 billion euros, equivalent to $433 billion, between 2024 and 2030, up from €295 billion between 2019 and 2025. France currently spends around 1.9% of its gross domestic product on defense, just shy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s target of 2%.

☆ France contends with widespread strikes as unions take to streets against pension reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

French unions and demonstrators have taken to the streets on Thursday in widespread industrial action against the government's projected pension reforms. The pension reform is "just and responsible" and must be carried out, Macron said Thursday, according to Reuters. The organizations will convene Thursday evening to determine convening further industrial action. Rail operator SNCF warned train travel will be "severely disrupted" by industrial action between 7 p.m. local time on 18 Jan. and 8 a.m. on Friday. He reiterated his objections to the reform plan and stressed the syndicates' willingness to continue strikes beyond the first day of industrial action, "It is a first day, therefore, we will have others."

☆ France’s Macron to Forge Ahead With Contested Pension Overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron is pressing ahead with his plan to raise the country’s retirement age despite opposition from unions and lawmakers, a decisive test of the centrist leader’s ability to enact his pro-business agenda during his second term in office. Mr. Macron’s government is expected to unveil details of the proposed pension overhaul on Tuesday. The move risks sparking a new wave of protests in France, where tensions have been simmering for months because of rising food and fuel prices. Unions have already called for strikes and pledged to stage nationwide protests this month to block the new measures.

The most likely scenario would see the government raising the retirement age to 64 from 62 currently. But polls show pension reform is unpopular. Some 47% want no change to the retirement age and 25% want retirement to be earlier than now. Macron had to put his first pension reform bid on ice in 2020 as the government rushed to contain the COVID outbreak and save the economy. Now, although recent strike action has been limited to specific sectors, such as refineries and airlines, outrage over pension reform could easily spark broader protests.

☆ Emmanuel Macron presses ahead with pension reform as French discontent swells
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Pension reform in France, where the right to retire on a full pension at 62 is deeply cherished, is always a highly sensitive issue and even more so now with social discontent mounting over the surging cost of living. Hundreds of yellow vests took to the streets of Toulouse, France, on Saturday to protest against Macron's reforms, such as the planned pension reform and the unemployment reforms. Alain Pitton/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesStrike threatMacron had to put the pension reform on ice in 2020 as the government rushed to contain the Covid outbreak and save the economy. Although recent strike action has been limited to specific sectors, such as refineries and airlines, outrage over pension reform could easily spark far broader protests. Polls show pension reform is unpopular.

☆ France to send Ukraine light combat vehicles, Kyiv wants tanks from allies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"This is the first time that Western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," the official said. Zelenskiy thanked Macron for the announcement and said it showed the need for others to provide heavier weapons. "We must put an end to the Russian aggression this year," he said, adding that "modern Western armoured vehicles and Western-type tanks" were major assets that Ukraine needed. Macron in October also said Paris would provide air defence weapons as Russia intensified missile strikes on critical infrastructure. Zelenskiy has repeatedly asked Western allies for heavier fighting vehicles such as the German-made Leopard tanks.

☆ Macron says 2023 will be the year of pension reform in France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on a screen through the light of a Christmas tree as he delivers his New Year's speech to the nation at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, December 31, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - The coming year will be one of much-delayed pension reform, President Emmanuel Macron told the French in a New Year's Eve speech on Saturday. Reforming France's costly and complicated pension system was a key plank of Macron's election platform when he came to power in 2017. Macron put the initiative on hold as he ordered France into lockdown in early 2020. "We need to work longer," he said in a televised speech, adding that the reform would be implemented by the end of the summer.

☆ Macron Renews Call for Russia to Receive Security Guarantees to End War in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Stacy Meichtry | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron has doubled down on his call for the West to provide Russia with security guarantees as part of any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and prevent the conflict from spreading across Europe. “Peaceful times will require talks. First and foremost for guarantees for Ukraine for its territorial integrity and its long-term security. But also for Russia as it will be party to an armistice or peace treaty,“ Mr. Macron said during a TV interview aboard an aircraft carrier that was broadcast late Tuesday.

☆ French Police Raid Offices of Macron’s Political Party
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Nick Kostov | Stacy Meichtry | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—French police have raided the headquarters of Emmanuel Macron ‘s political party, prosecutors said Wednesday, as part of two probes into possible ties between consulting firms and France’s presidential campaigns in 2017 and 2022. France’s national prosecutors said police also searched the Paris offices of consulting giant McKinsey & Co. as well the headquarters of an association dedicated to funding Renaissance, Mr. Macron’s party.

☆ Biden Starts a Climate Trade War
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Wasn’t President Biden going to end Donald Trump’s destructive trade wars against allies? Apparently not. His “super aggressive” climate protectionism—to quote French President Emmanuel Macron—is infuriating U.S. friends and may set off a subsidy and tariff war. U.S. allies are upset about the Inflation Reduction Act’s generous subsidies for domestically manufactured green technologies. In his trip to Washington last week, Mr. Macron said the U.S. subsidies may “perhaps fix your issue but you will increase my problem.” They’re really a problem for everybody.

WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet on Thursday for celebrities, lawmakers, and titans of industry at the White House's first state dinner in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron. The guest list included actress Jennifer Garner and her daughter with Ben Affleck, Violet; singer John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen; "Vogue" editor Anna Wintour; and director Baz Luhrmann. On Thursday night, Biden and his wife, Jill, welcomed the Macrons back to the White House for the dinner after diplomatic meetings earlier in the day. [1/7] Jennifer Garner and her daughter Violet Affleck arrive for a state dinner in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2022. The lavish Washington dinner is one of few events that bring together people including the president's son Hunter and Kevin McCarthy, who leads a Republican congressional delegation that has vowed to investigate his business dealings.

☆ Joe Biden honors French President Emmanuel Macron with a state dinner — again
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS — The White House is rolling out the red carpet for French President Emmanuel Macron — again. Though Macron was also honored with the first state dinner of Donald Trump’s presidency, the relationship between the two leaders devolved into tension that both Macron and Biden now are hoping to reverse. “We do not imagine that Congress, moreover, with a House of Representatives with a Republican majority, could fundamentally revise the IRA,” the Élysée official observed. Macron, and Europe more broadly, hope China can develop into more of a partner than a competitor, particularly with respect to trade. But above all, Macron is simply looking for some respect — or as the senior Élysée official put it, “Sovereignty.

☆ Biden to host French President Macron at his first state dinner
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Peter Nicholas Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

White House executive chef Cris Comerford gave a media preview Wednesday of the state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron. “You need France.”Then-President Trump hosted French President Macron at a state dinner in 2018. The state dinner may be the Biden administration’s way of apologizing for an unforced error of such magnitude, Fried said. “We owed the French one after that.”A dish is previewed for the Macron state dinner. The last state dinner at the White House was in 2019.

[1/4] U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron walk next to a vehicle as they meet for dinner at Fiola Mare restaurant in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, U.S., November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron will celebrate more than 200 years of U.S.-French relations on Thursday but simmering in the background is a dispute over new American subsidies that has riled Europe. Biden is hosting Macron at the first state visit since the U.S. leader took office in early 2021. Macron and his wife, Brigitte, arrived in Washington on Tuesday for his second state visit to the United States since taking office in 2017. Macron is the first foreign leader to be given a state dinner at the Biden White House, a sign of his importance to Washington despite some differences with the Biden administration.

☆ Biden, Macron reaffirm their partnership, support for Ukraine at joint White House press conference
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The two leaders spoke to reporters in a joint press conference at the White House after meeting for more than two hours. Macron is visiting the U.S. as a guest of Biden for the first state dinner of his presidency. Ukraine was top of mind for the leaders, who each worried about Russia's bombing of civilian infrastructure as winter approaches. "I think it's absolutely critical, what Emmanuel said: We must support the Ukrainian people," Biden said. European leaders, Macron said, worry the vast tax incentives would drive companies from Europe to the U.S. to create climate-friendly technology such as electric vehicles.

☆ In Biden's first state visit, French President Macron says U.S. must stand with democracies amid Russian aggression
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden stand together onstage during an official State Arrival Ceremony for President Macron on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2022. Standing beside U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House, French President Emmanuel Macron said the two democratic nations must once again become "brothers in arms" amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Macron made the comments during the welcoming ceremony Thursday of Biden's first state visit. Beyond military aggression, Macron said the alliance must remain strong as democracy itself is being questioned around the world. "France and the United States are once again defending the democratic values and universal human rights which are the hearts of both our nations," Biden said.

☆ U.S. Inflation Reduction Act 'super aggressive,' Macron tells lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron addressed U.S. lawmakers from both political parties on Wednesday and pushed back over new American subsidies that are riling European leaders, according to a participant in a closed-door meeting. In a meeting with U.S. lawmakers at the Library of Congress, Macron said the act was "super aggressive" toward European companies, one participant told Reuters. [1/3] French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hold a briefing during a visit to NASA headquarters in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2022. France joined the United States and several other nations in ruling out destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing after Russia struck one of its own satellites in orbit last year, creating debris and drawing scorn from the United States and its allies. The United States, which last demonstrated such a missile in 2008, first announced its ban on the tests in April.

[1/2] French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech as he hosts a reception for the mayors of France, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, November 23, 2022. The visit also highlights the unique way that Macron has raised France's profile on the world stage, and particularly in the United States. From Beirut to Bangkok, and from the Kremlin to the White House, he has sought to place himself at the center of every crisis, with a flair for seizing the moment. The White House defends the bill as necessary to boost the electric vehicle industry and other clean energy initiatives, saying subsidies play an important role. After Biden apologized publicly, Macron seemed less than mollified, saying "Trust is like love: Declarations are good, but proof is better."

More than a year after Washington, London and Canberra torpedoed a big French submarine contract, pushing Franco-US relations to breaking point, the two countries are expected to put on a show of unity on common threats from Russia and China. The French leader will try to negotiate exemptions for European companies on the model of those Mexico and Canada has already got, a French presidential adviser said. Macron wants France to build more nuclear reactors but it is struggling with corrosion issues at its ageing plants. Macron will also travel to Louisiana, ostensibly to pay tribute to the state's French heritage, but also to discuss energy issues, the French presidential advisor said. "The United States produce cheap gas but sell it to us at high price," Macron told French executives on November 8.

☆ Russia's invasion of Ukraine has accelerated a nuclear renaissance. Europe's nuclear startups have raised a record $403 million in 2022.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Nuclear power has long been shunned by policymakers due to disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Rising energy costs caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine have sparked a nuclear resurgence. For most, nuclear energy sparks memories of the large-scale disasters at Fukushima and Chernobyl. To generate energy via nuclear fusion, two atoms have to be combined – the same process that fuels the sun. Both are needed to fight climate change, according to Aneeqa Khan, a nuclear fusion research fellow at the Dalton Nuclear Institute.

☆ Macron Government Overrides France’s National Assembly to Pass Budget
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron ’s government invoked rarely used powers Wednesday to override the National Assembly on a crucial budget vote, placing its pro-business agenda on a collision course with parliament. The Macron government’s decision to invoke Article 49 of France’s constitution allowed it to bypass parliament and pass a budget bill for 2023. The move, howevever, collided with Mr. Macron’s pledge to govern as a consensus builder after losing his majority in June in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

☆ Macron’s government decides to pass budget without vote
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron's government said Wednesday it would use a special constitutional power to force the bill for next year's budget through the National Assembly without a vote. Opposition lawmakers could call a no-confidence vote to protest the move, which some have denounced as undemocratic. A no-confidence vote is unlikely to pass despite opposition to the government's move because it would need the approval of at least 289 lawmakers, or half the seats in the lower house of France's Parliament. If some groups of lawmakers abstain while Macron's allies vote no, the threshold cannot be reached. In July, lawmakers failed to pass a no-confidence motion requested by the Nupes to symbolically mark its opposition to Macron's policies.

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