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Paris Mayoral Race Puts Green Transformation to the Test

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The upcoming mayoral election in Paris is shaping up as a key test of public support for the city’s ambitious green transformation. Over the past decade, outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed major changes, including around 1,000 km of cycle lanes, more trees and pedestrian-friendly streets. Supporters say the redesign has encouraged cycling and reduced pollution, while critics argue the changes have disrupted traffic and strained city finances.

Opinion polls suggest the race is mainly between Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire, who supports continuing the environmental agenda, and conservative rival Rachida Dati, who says the city’s traditional character has been harmed by rapid changes. Meanwhile, far-right candidate Sarah Knafo is gaining ground in the polls and could complicate the race if she reaches the second round later this month.

While the green policies have led to more bike use, reduced car traffic and improved air quality, they have also drawn criticism over issues such as rising municipal debt and cleanliness in the city. As voters head to the polls, the election will determine whether Parisians want to continue the push toward a greener, car-free urban model or shift toward a more balanced approach to transportation and city management.

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France Returns Sacred Talking Drum to Ivory Coast

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France has repatriated a sacred talking drum, the Djidji Ayôkwé, to Ivory Coast more than a century after it was looted during colonial rule. Seized by French colonial authorities in 1916 and later displayed in Parisian museums, the drum was welcomed back by the Ebrié community at Abidjan International Airport, still in its protective crate. The 3-metre-long, 430kg drum is carved from iroko wood and holds deep cultural and ceremonial significance.

The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé is part of France’s broader effort to repatriate African cultural artefacts, a process initiated in 2017. Ivory Coast’s Culture Minister Françoise Remarck called it a historic moment of justice and remembrance, highlighting the drum’s central role in mobilizing communities, warning of danger, and summoning villagers for ceremonies.

This drum marks the first of 148 objects Ivory Coast is seeking to reclaim from France and other countries. The French government has previously returned Abomey royal treasures to Benin and a historic sabre to Senegal, and a new framework law aims to streamline the restitution of colonial-era artefacts from national collections.

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France Plans Major Naval Deployment, Considers Hormuz Escort Mission

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France plans to deploy nearly a dozen naval vessels to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and possibly the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise in the Middle East, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. The deployment includes the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier strike group along with several warships, aimed at supporting allies and protecting maritime security.

Macron made the announcement during a visit to Cyprus, where he met President Nikos Christodoulides and Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The French leader sought to reassure regional partners after drones were intercepted heading toward the island last week amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

France also plans to reinforce the European Union naval mission Operation Aspides, launched in 2024 to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Iran-aligned militants. Macron said Paris could eventually support a defensive escort mission for commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard global shipping and help stabilise trade routes.

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EU ‘Made in Europe’ Auto Plan Risks Trade Tensions

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The European Union is preparing to introduce stricter “Made in EU” requirements for automakers as part of a proposed Industrial Accelerator Act aimed at reviving domestic manufacturing. Under draft rules, electric vehicles would need at least 70% of their parts’ value — excluding the battery — produced within the bloc to qualify for subsidies, alongside minimum EU-based battery content. The move is designed to counter mounting pressure from cheaper Chinese electric vehicle imports and prevent further industrial decline.

However, the plan has exposed divisions within the EU. France has pushed for stronger protection of local suppliers, warning of further factory closures and job losses without firm local-content mandates. Germany, whose carmakers depend heavily on exports to China, fears that stricter rules could trigger retaliatory trade measures. Industry groups caution that global auto supply chains are deeply integrated, making compliance complex and raising the risk of disrupting production networks.

Non-EU countries such as Britain and Turkey, key manufacturing hubs for European brands, are lobbying to be included in the framework. Automakers warn that excluding these partners could weaken EU production itself, while including them may create loopholes for Chinese firms to benefit indirectly. With billions of euros in subsidies and thousands of jobs at stake, policymakers are walking a tightrope between strengthening European industry and avoiding backlash from global trading partners.

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France Offers Support to Gulf States Amid Iran Strikes

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France has expressed readiness to assist Gulf countries targeted by Iranian retaliatory attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said after a crisis meeting in Paris. Barrot emphasized that any support would be proportionate and aligned with international law’s collective self-defense principles, responding to requests from regional partners.

The French minister criticized the initial Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran as unilateral actions that should have been debated at the U.N. Security Council to gain legitimacy. He called for Iran to halt its attacks and accept political concessions to pave the way for peace in the region.

A drone strike on a French naval base in Abu Dhabi over the weekend caused limited damage, but no French casualties were reported. France’s statement highlights its commitment to regional security while advocating for diplomatic and multilateral approaches to conflict resolution.

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Sweden Says Russian Drone Jammed Near French Carrier in Malmö

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Sweden’s armed forces have confirmed that a drone jammed near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Malmö was Russian. The drone was detected about seven nautical miles from the carrier and was seen taking off from a nearby Russian intelligence-gathering vessel in Swedish territorial waters. The Swedish Navy acted quickly to disrupt the drone using jamming technology, which interferes with its control signals. The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation as “absurd.”

The Charles de Gaulle, visiting Sweden for the first time, is set to participate in NATO exercises across the Baltic and Atlantic regions under the La Fayette 26 mission. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the incident as serious but not unexpected, suggesting it fit a broader pattern of Russian behavior. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called any confirmed Russian involvement a “ridiculous provocation,” while French military officials emphasized that the incident did not affect the carrier’s operations.

The episode comes amid months of reported drone sightings near military facilities across NATO member states, including Denmark and the Baltic countries. Sweden’s coast guard has also launched a separate investigation into a fuel spill in Malmö’s port, though authorities say it is unrelated to the carrier’s visit. The carrier strike group’s deployment signals France’s strengthened military engagement with northern European allies in response to growing tensions with Moscow.

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Macron and Meloni Clash Over Killing of French Far-Right Activist in Lyon

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French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exchanged sharp criticism following the killing of a French far-right activist, Quentin Deranque, who died after being beaten during protests in Lyon. French prosecutors confirmed that seven people will face murder charges, including an assistant linked to the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI), while several others were arrested in connection with the incident. The case has sparked outrage in France and intensified political tensions.

Meloni described the killing as a tragedy caused by groups connected to left-wing extremism, calling it a “wound for all of Europe.” Her comments drew a strong response from Macron, who accused nationalist leaders of interfering in other countries’ internal matters. Speaking during a visit abroad, Macron directly confirmed his criticism was aimed at Meloni, underscoring ongoing ideological divisions between the two leaders on broader European political issues.

The killing has fueled political fallout within France, damaging the reputation of left-wing groups while providing an opportunity for far-right parties to highlight concerns over extremist violence. One suspect accused of helping instigate the attack has been placed in pre-trial detention, though he denies responsibility for the fatal blows. Meloni’s office later expressed surprise at Macron’s remarks, emphasizing that her comments were intended to convey sympathy and concern over the violent death.

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Germany Considers More F-35 Jets as European Fighter Project Stalls

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Germany is considering purchasing additional F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, potentially expanding its fleet beyond the 35 aircraft ordered in 2022. Sources said Berlin is in talks that could lead to buying more than 35 additional jets, which would significantly increase its reliance on U.S. military technology. Each aircraft costs over $80 million, and deliveries from the earlier order are expected to begin later this year.

The move comes as Germany and France face growing uncertainty over their joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a €100-billion program launched in 2017 to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2040. Disagreements and delays have raised the possibility that the project could be abandoned. German officials, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have also questioned whether investing heavily in a new manned fighter jet remains practical given evolving military technology.

Expanding Germany’s F-35 fleet would mark a strategic shift toward closer defense integration with the United States and strengthen its role within NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework. The F-35 is currently the only Western aircraft certified to carry modern B61 nuclear bombs, making it essential for replacing Germany’s aging Tornado jets. While the future of the FCAS program remains uncertain, Germany and France are expected to continue cooperating on other defense areas such as drones and digital warfare systems.

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Nine Arrested Over Murder of Far-Right Student in Lyon

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Nine individuals have been arrested in France following the death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, a far-right nationalist student who succumbed to head injuries after an attack in Lyon. The assault occurred during a far-right feminist demonstration at the city’s Institute of Political Studies (Sciences-Po), where Deranque had been helping provide security. Authorities say he was beaten and kicked by a group of masked individuals, dying two days later in hospital.

Among those detained is Jacques-Elie Favrot, a parliamentary assistant for a deputy from the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Investigators believe the suspects are far-left militants associated with the banned group La Jeune Garde (Young Guard). The arrests have intensified scrutiny of LFI and its 70 MPs, as well as its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a potential presidential contender, though Mélenchon denied any connection to the violence.

French authorities confirmed that Deranque suffered fatal skull and brain injuries inflicted by at least six attackers, according to state prosecutor Thierry Dran. The case has sparked national debate over political violence and the responsibilities of extremist groups, as well as the role of party-affiliated staff in such incidents.

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China Signals Possible Tariffs on French Wine Amid EU Trade Tensions

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China could investigate French wine imports or impose reciprocal tariffs on European Union products if France pushes for tougher trade measures against Chinese goods, a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV said on Wednesday. The warning followed a French strategy report urging the EU to consider a 30% blanket tariff on Chinese imports or a 30% depreciation of the euro against the renminbi to counter rising low-cost imports. The account said such measures would breach World Trade Organization rules and amount to a “declaration of trade war.”

The comments unsettled markets, with shares of French spirits makers Remy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard falling before trimming losses. French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the proposal had not been adopted by the government, though she did not dismiss its rationale. France’s trade and finance ministries have yet to issue formal responses.

The latest tensions echo last year’s dispute when China launched an anti-dumping probe into EU brandy, widely seen as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles — tariffs France supported. While Beijing has reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue with France and the EU, it also stressed it is prepared to respond firmly to any trade challenges.

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