Glucksmann to European leaders: Forget Trump and choose joint borrowing
In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Raphaël Glucksman, a prominent French socialist, urged the 27 EU member states to abandon their reliance on the United States, speaking to Radio Schuman on today's podcast.
Glucksman recommended swift action on using frozen Russian assets to mobilise funds, halting imports of Russian LNG gas, and agreeing on joint borrowing to strengthen the bloc's defence capabilities in the long term.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees, as well as the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, Glucksman has recently engaged extensively with French media to urge France and the European Union to act swiftly and make decisive commitments regarding Ukraine.
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LeMonde
an hour ago
- LeMonde
French-Algerian writer Sansal's five-year prison sentence upheld by appeals court
An Algerian court on Tuesday, July 1 upheld a five-year prison sentence against dual-national author Boualam Sansal, whose case has strained ties with France. Sansal, 80, was first sentenced to five years behind bars on March 27 on charges related to undermining Algeria's territorial integrity over comments made to a French media outlet. The appeals court confirmed the sentence after prosecutors sought to double his jail term, an AFP journalist reported from the hearing. Sansal was informed he has eight days to file a further appeal before Algeria's supreme court. His newly appointed French lawyer, Pierre Cornut-Gentille, said he would consult with his client before deciding whether to pursue another legal challenge. Following the verdict, French Prime Minister François Bayrou said he hoped Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebbone would grant Sansal a pardon. "Now that the sentence has been handed down, we can imagine pardon measures, particularly in view of our compatriot's health, will be taken," said Bayrou, calling the situation "unacceptable." Case 'makes no sense' French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged Tebboune to show "mercy and humanity" to the author. Some of Sansal's relatives have voiced hope he could be pardoned on Saturday, the 63 rd anniversary of Algeria's independence. A prize-winning figure in North African modern francophone literature, Sansal is known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists. The case against him arose after he told the far-right outlet Frontières that France had unjustly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period from 1830 to 1962 – a claim Algeria views as a challenge to its sovereignty and that aligns with longstanding Moroccan territorial assertions. Sansal was detained in November 2024 upon arrival at Algiers airport. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). Appearing in court without legal counsel on June 24, Sansal said the case against him "makes no sense" as "the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and conscience." Help us improve Le Monde in English Dear reader, We'd love to hear your thoughts on Le Monde in English! Take this quick survey to help us improve it for you. He defended his remarks by citing the African Union's post-independence declaration that colonial borders should remain inviolable. When questioned about his writings, Sansal asked: "Are we holding a trial over literature? Where are we headed?" Diplomatic rift Sansal's family has expressed fears prison could jeopardize his health, noting he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer. Authorities in the North African country maintain that due process is being respected. Commenting on his health on Tuesday, Cornut-Gentille said he saw Sansal a day earlier and that "he is fine." The writer's conviction further strained already tense France-Algeria relations, which have been complicated by issues such as migration and Macron's recent recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.
Local France
an hour ago
- Local France
How to talk politics with your French friends (without starting a fight)
Whereas polite conversation in many English-speaking countries avoids divisive topics like politics, in France such debates are part of the cultural fabric. Knowing when to join in and how to present your ideas is key if you want to join in these lively debates while remaining friends. "Politics is technically a taboo subject,' says Bérengère de Monbois, director of L'Académie des Bienséances, a French etiquette school. 'But what I was saying to my Taiwanese clients just an hour ago: all French people know that they shouldn't talk about politics, but they all do it anyway.' At a French dinner table, especially among friends or family, a political debate is almost inevitable. It's not a fight, more a form of exchange. And as long as you bring intellectual curiosity rather than your stubborn self, there's a seat for you at the table. Advertisement 'What not to do is be very categorical,' de Monbois explains. 'If you say, 'in my opinion…' or 'from what I understand…,' you leave space for disagreement and you're not presenting yourself as someone who holds the absolute truth. If you can handle this skilfully, in principle you can say anything.' French-Canadian student Alexandre Geres says he never talks politics with his Canadian family while he consistently does so with his French relatives, including his uncle whose far-right politics are very different from his own leftist views. "In North America, people don't want to address topics that are divisive while in France we are more open to that,' he said. He recalls a student house he once lived in with two French and three North American students: 'The French guys talked politics all the time but the North Americans stayed out of it.' Alice Derieux Chagnard, a Franco-American who works as a live interpreter for French tourists on American cruises, believes that differences in the political systems are behind this. "Unlike the binary political landscape of the US, France's multiparty system allows for a wider range of political perspectives. This means that conversations are less likely to consist of extreme opposites.' In such conversations it is important to strike the right tone, which is a little more detached, explains Derieux Chagnard. 'In the US, discussing politics becomes more of a personal matter. People say, 'This is me, and this is what I believe in.' In France, people try to approach it more intellectually and objectively by giving arguments, which makes it less personal.' And while French people love to debate, there are still boundaries. Geres recommends not asking who someone voted for as this can come across as invasive, especially at work. Neither should you assume that everyone wants to hear your hot take on Brexit or Trump. If your French conversation partner cares to discuss this, they will bring it up. Jokes about political figures, however, both in discussions and on the internet are fair game. Advertisement "I think we've always — even when we had a monarchical system — granted ourselves the right to joke about politicians,' de Monbois said. 'And that holds true to this day.' As with all countries, the age, profession and location of your conversation partner can make a difference to how they approach the world in general, and politics in particular. Clémence Cornali, a Parisian nurse, shared her view with The Local, saying: "Older generations have a harder time understanding our fast-paced world, its complexities and its different voices. So they tend to be on the more extreme sides of the political spectrum." Meanwhile Safy, a young social worker in Paris, told us that in his opinion, preparation is the key. "You really need to be informed about all the parties, or at least be somewhat up-to-date. Personally, I would focus less on what politicians say and more on what political commentators say, because they often provide context and more sides to the same story." You can find coverage of French politics in English in The Local's politics section here , while our politics expert John Lichfield gives his take on the latest events in his columns here , or on The Local's Talking France podcast . Do you talk politics with your French friends? Share your tips for a friendly discussion in the comments section below
Local France
an hour ago
- Local France
PODCAST: From strikes to extreme heat - what to expect in France this summer
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson and John Lichfield for a special edition looking ahead to this summer in France. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below Summer in France often brings strikes, and this year unions representing air traffic controllers, rail workers, Paris museum staff and the operators of the highway péages have all filed strike notices in a variety of disputes over pay and working conditions. Advertisement The usual political break might not happen this year, however, with the prime minister trying to sell his Budget ideas and the possibility of French elections - will PM François Bayrou make it through the summer? And what will await him when parliament restarts in September? It's already pretty hot in France, so we're looking at how hot it's likely to get this summer plus some tips for staying cool via the French government and why French doctors don't like ice-cold air conditioning. Finally we have a few tips for some events to enjoy this summer. The podcast will now be taking a break over the summer but, much like the prime minister, we hope to return in September. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of members of The Local, you can find out more about becoming a member here . Extra reading: Planes, trains and museums: The strikes to expect in France this summer How hot will it get in France this summer OPINION: Another week, another attempt to bring down the French government
