France
French PM François Bayrou loses crucial confidence vote in parliament
The centrist leader, who became France’s fourth head of government in less than two years, lost his gamble after calling an unprecedented confidence vote over his austerity plans to rein in the country’s ballooning public deficit.
France
French political crisis threatens country's influence over the EU
France’s political paralysis is shaking the EU: chronic instability and unpopular budget cuts weaken Paris’ influence just as Italy under Meloni gains ground, pushing for key EU roles and shaping the bloc’s future while France struggles at home.
Economy
Rome denies French PM Bayrou's 'unfounded' tax dumping claims
Francois Bayrou, in an interview with French media on Sunday, accused Italy of fiscal dumping. The Italian government denied it, while members of the key parties criticised the attack, defending the soundness and attractiveness of their tax system.
Europe News
French PM Bayrou denies covering up Catholic school abuse scandal
French Prime Minister François Bayrou faced a high-stakes parliamentary hearing on Wednesday evening, testifying under oath about what he knew or didn't know regarding decades of alleged abuse at a Catholic school in southwestern France.