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French Court Verdict to Decide Marine Le Pen’s 2027 Presidential Bid

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Marine Le Pen is set to learn whether she can contest France’s 2027 presidential election as a Paris appeal court delivers its verdict on her electoral ban. Le Pen was convicted in 2025 for embezzling more than €4 million in European Parliament funds and received a five-year ban from holding public office. She has denied any wrongdoing and appealed the ruling.

If the court upholds the ban, Jordan Bardella is expected to become the presidential candidate for the National Rally. Opinion polls suggest Bardella would remain a strong contender, although Le Pen has played a key role in transforming the party into one of France’s leading political forces over the past decade.

The appeal court could also reduce or remove the electoral ban while still upholding her conviction, potentially allowing Le Pen to run. However, if her prison sentence, including home detention with electronic monitoring, remains unchanged, campaigning would become significantly more difficult. Le Pen is expected to address the nation in a televised interview following the court’s decision.

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French Billionaire Defends Conservative Push Ahead of Election

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French billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin used his first appearance before lawmakers to openly defend his efforts to promote free-market and conservative ideas in France ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Appearing before a Senate inquiry into political financing, Sterin described his project as a long-term campaign to influence public debate and support right-wing policies.

Sterin denied any wrongdoing and said his organisation, Pericles, operates within the law. The Senate investigation is examining whether the billionaire’s network of charities, think tanks, and advocacy groups complies with political finance regulations. He said the objective is to expand the influence of conservative economic and social ideas across France.

The entrepreneur also reiterated his hardline views on immigration, supporting the deportation of foreign criminals, undocumented migrants, and long-term unemployed migrants. Sterin, who moved to Belgium in 2012 during former President François Hollande’s administration, said lower taxes abroad allowed him to devote more money to charitable projects in France.

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Mbappe and Bardella Clash Again as France’s Political Divide Deepens

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A fresh public dispute has erupted between Kylian Mbappé and far-right politician Jordan Bardella over the growing influence of France’s far-right movement ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a recent interview, Mbappe warned about the consequences of a potential victory for the far-right National Rally, saying such political changes could negatively impact the country’s future and social unity.

Bardella responded by mocking Mbappe’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, pointing out that the club won the UEFA Champions League after the football star moved to Real Madrid. The exchange quickly gained attention online and reignited a long-running political disagreement between the two figures, who have previously traded criticism over immigration, inequality, and the role of celebrities in political debates.

The clash reflects broader tensions within France as the country prepares for a closely watched presidential election next year. Analysts say the National Rally has gained momentum due to rising living costs, anti-immigration sentiment, and growing dissatisfaction with traditional political elites. Bardella is widely seen as a possible presidential candidate if Marine Le Pen remains barred from contesting the election.

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France Passes 2026 Budget After Months of Political Deadlock

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France’s 2026 budget has finally been approved after two no-confidence motions failed in the National Assembly, bringing an end to months of political uncertainty. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, leading a weak minority government, secured the passage of the budget with targeted concessions to Socialist lawmakers, including delaying an unpopular pension reform. Lecornu emphasized that the budget reins in public spending without raising taxes for households or businesses.

The delayed budget, which had unsettled markets and alarmed European partners, now provides a period of stability ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Despite a still-high deficit of 5% of GDP, investor confidence has improved, and the French debt risk premium has returned to pre-election levels. Lecornu’s flexibility and compromise have preserved Macron’s legacy of attracting foreign investment.

With domestic reforms largely stalled, President Emmanuel Macron is now focusing on foreign policy, including reducing Europe’s dependency on foreign powers and addressing trade disputes with the U.S. Meanwhile, the centrist bloc faces uncertainty with no clear successor, while former prime ministers Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, along with Lecornu, position themselves for the upcoming presidential race.

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Russia election 2024: Voting begins in election Putin is bound to win

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Voting has commenced in Russia’s presidential election, with Vladimir Putin poised to secure another six-year term in office without any significant opposition. The election spans three days, from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the Kaliningrad exclave, though the outcome is a foregone conclusion due to the absence of credible challengers.

Putin’s decision to run for a fifth term was portrayed as spontaneous, yet the Kremlin’s media apparatus swiftly mobilized to bolster his candidacy, portraying him as an indispensable national leader. Having already held power longer than any Russian leader since Stalin, Putin maneuvered to reset term limits, allowing him to potentially extend his rule until 2030.

Despite efforts to maintain a facade of legitimacy, the electoral process lacks genuine competition. Turnout is emphasized to showcase Putin’s popular support, though previous elections have been marred by irregularities. The limited opposition candidates on the ballot pose no real threat to Putin’s reign.

Televised debates excluded Putin, who instead engaged in choreographed interactions with various groups to bolster his image as a man of the people. His recent state-of-the-nation address primarily addressed domestic concerns, signaling awareness of pressing issues like poverty and healthcare failures, which remain unsolved despite his lengthy tenure.

The election, expected to be neither free nor fair, underscores Putin’s enduring dominance. The only notable challenge comes from Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who has urged supporters to demonstrate their presence at polling stations, although the impact is largely symbolic.

Ultimately, Putin’s victory is inevitable, and the illusion of democracy will persist for another six years.

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Occupied Ukraine encouraged to vote in Russian election by armed men

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Moscow is orchestrating a significant effort urging residents in occupied parts of Ukraine to participate in Russia’s presidential election. The election, spanning three days for the first time, is being supplemented with early voting in regions under occupation, including Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Reports indicate coercion tactics, with pro-Russian collaborators and armed soldiers visiting households with ballot boxes to encourage voting. While Vladimir Putin’s victory seems assured, a high turnout would bolster Kremlin’s legitimacy and potentially justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Residents are pressured through various means, including home visits by electoral representatives accompanied by armed individuals, data collection, and filming. Despite resistance and attacks on election organizers, Moscow continues to promote the vote as an endorsement of Putin’s leadership, using symbols associated with the Ukraine conflict.

However, critics denounce the process as undemocratic and farcical, citing intimidation tactics, forced participation, and the absence of genuine opposition. Many residents, fearful of repercussions, reluctantly comply with the orchestrated election process.

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Conservative ex-PM Alexander Stubb elected Finland president

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In Finland’s recent presidential election, Alexander Stubb, the conservative former Prime Minister, emerged victorious with 51.6% of the vote, defeating his Green Party opponent Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, who garnered 48.4%. Stubb’s win marks a significant moment for Finland as it is the first election since the country joined the NATO military alliance.

Known for his assertive stance towards Russia, particularly following the Ukrainian conflict, Stubb has emphasized the importance of Finland’s NATO membership since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He reiterated the challenges of engaging in political dialogue with Putin’s administration amid ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Haavisto gracefully conceded defeat, acknowledging Stubb’s win and expressing his intention to focus on his role as a lawmaker rather than pursuing future electoral endeavors. Despite his loss, Haavisto’s commitment to serving in Finland’s legislative body remains unwavering.

Stubb is set to assume office on March 1st, succeeding Sauli Niinisto. As president, he will hold direct responsibility for foreign and security policy and serve as the commander-in-chief of Finland’s armed forces, shaping the nation’s stance on critical international matters.

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Putin challenger Boris Nadezhdin barred from Russia’s election

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Russia’s election commission has rejected Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war challenger, as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, citing flaws in the signatures submitted with his candidate application. Despite his efforts to contest the decision, the commission upheld its ruling. Nadezhdin, however, vowed to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

The commission stated that over 9,000 signatures out of the 105,000 submitted by Nadezhdin were invalid, leaving him just short of the required 100,000 valid signatures. Nadezhdin expressed frustration, claiming widespread support and citing polls that positioned him as the second most favored candidate after Putin.

Nevertheless, the commission chairwoman, Ella Pamfilova, declared the decision final, suggesting that Nadezhdin could pursue legal action if he wished. The election is scheduled for March 15-17, with Vladimir Putin expected to secure victory as opposition candidates perceived as Kremlin-friendly dominate the race.

Despite the setback, Nadezhdin remained resolute, asserting that his candidacy was a crucial political decision. He had garnered significant support, amassing over 200,000 signatures nationwide. Nadezhdin, known for his appearances on state-run TV as an anti-war figure, emphasized his commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine and normalizing Russia’s relations with the West.

Although his candidacy initially faced skepticism from some opposition figures, prominent voices like Alexei Navalny and Mikhail Khodorkovsky endorsed Nadezhdin’s campaign. However, pro-Kremlin commentators accused him of being a pawn for “Ukrainian Nazis,” reflecting the divisive nature of his candidacy.

Nadezhdin’s bid for the presidency echoes previous attempts by candidates to run on an anti-war platform, underscoring the prevalent sentiment of opposition to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. Despite being barred from the race, Nadezhdin’s campaign resonated with segments of Russian society, particularly those affected by the conflict.

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‘Send back our husbands’ – Russian women in rare protest

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In a Moscow function room, a group of women, known as The Way Home, publicly criticizes the Russian authorities for keeping their husbands, part of the 300,000 reservists mobilized for the war in Ukraine, away from home. The women, who met through social media, have different views on the war but share the belief that their husbands have fulfilled their military duty and should return.

The women express frustration with the government and its lack of consideration for the soldiers’ well-being. They meet with local councillor Boris Nadezhdin, a rare government critic who has been allowed on national television. Nadezhdin, critical of the military operation, believes the war has damaged Putin’s domestic popularity.

Critics of the war blame the mobilized men, while Kremlin supporters label the women as Western puppets. Russian MP Andrei Kartapolov suggests that calls for demobilization are orchestrated by Russia’s enemies, linking it to World War Two. The women find such comparisons insulting, emphasizing that the current conflict is different.

Maria Andreeva, a member of The Way Home, not only advocates for her family’s return but also aims to prevent further call-ups. The group stages peaceful protests by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Despite their efforts, the women feel a lack of support from society. Antonina, whose partner was drafted, shares her disappointment in the changing perception of her husband among friends. She emphasizes the desire for the return of husbands who did not volunteer for the front line, questioning Putin’s attitude towards citizens who once supported him. The women fear the possibility of a second wave of mobilization, despite Putin’s earlier assurances.

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Putin to stand for fifth term as Russian president

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term in office during an awards ceremony honoring participants in the 2022 war against Ukraine. The presidential election is slated for March 15-17, 2024, following a constitutional amendment in 2020 that extended the presidential term from four to six years. Given the limited opposition and the tight control Putin exercises over Russian media, his victory is widely perceived as inevitable.

The re-election of the 71-year-old Putin would mark a continuation of his extensive political career, having previously served as president from 2000-2008 and returning to the role in 2012 after a stint as prime minister. This extended period in power surpasses that of any ruler in Russia since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The constitutional amendment in 2020 effectively canceled out Putin’s previous terms, allowing him a clean slate to run again in 2024. A successful victory would keep him in the presidency until 2030, and if he decides to stand for re-election, potentially until 2036.

Despite facing significant challenges stemming from the invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing standoff with the West, Putin is unlikely to encounter substantial opposition. Genuine opponents have been marginalized, with many either deceased, imprisoned, or in exile. The announcement of the election dates by the Federation Council was swiftly followed by Putin’s declaration, emphasizing the apparent widespread support for his continued leadership.

Putin’s firm grip on power has only strengthened throughout his tenure, and his decision to run again underscores the lack of any significant contenders on the political landscape. The Kremlin’s official spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, noted an “astonishing” number of people expressing a desire for Putin to continue as the leader of Russia. The announcement was made during an informal gathering after a ceremony in the Kremlin where Ukraine war veterans were awarded the Hero of Russia medal, highlighting Putin’s role in the conflict and the political backdrop against which his candidacy is unfolding.

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