Latest news with #EmmanuelMacron
LeMonde
an hour ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
France's Constitutional Council partially blocks Duplomb Law, yet political battles continue
The Duplomb Law, which imposes new restrictions on agriculture, will be enacted – but without its key article. Article 2, which would have reauthorized three pesticides from the neonicotinoid family, was struck down on Thursday, August 7, by France's Constitutional Council (which rules on the constitutionality of laws), citing the right to live in a healthy environment. The Council emphasized that these products have "an impact on biodiversity (...), as well as consequences for water and soil quality, and pose risks to human health." One month after the final parliamentary vote, the Council's opinion was highly anticipated, especially since a petition launched by a student on July 10 gathered more than 2.1 million signatures on the Assemblée Nationale's website, calling for the legislation to be repealed. Following the Council's decision, President Emmanuel Macron announced he would enact the law "as soon as possible." This was a relief for Macron, who had remained silent while awaiting the judges' decision, fearing he would have to mediate the heated dispute between petitioners and agricultural unions, including the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d'Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA, France's main farmers' union).
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Macron urges Ukraine ceasefire as Zelensky demands role in US-Russia talks
Amid growing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Kyiv is pushing to ensure it has a direct role in any future negotiations between Washington and Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France's full support for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the launch of negotiations towards a lasting peace, following what he called a 'long discussion' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders. Taking to social media on Thursday, Macron stated, 'I reiterated to the Ukrainian President France's full support for establishing a ceasefire and launching discussions toward a solid and lasting solution that preserves Ukraine's legitimate rights and guarantees its security and that of Europeans.' The French leader's comments come amid renewed diplomatic manoeuvring around the Ukraine conflict, with talk of an upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the possibility of peace remains fraught with tension – especially given Russia's continued resistance to direct negotiations with Ukraine. Putin's reaction to Ukraine ceasefire proposals deepen G7 rifts over US strategy Kyiv demands Ukraine, EU participation in talks While the Kremlin has confirmed Putin is willing to attend a summit with Trump 'in the coming days', it has effectively ruled out the participation of Zelensky. That hasn't gone down well in Kyiv. In his nightly address on Thursday, Zelensky made clear that Ukraine must be at the table. 'It is only fair that Ukraine should be a participant in the negotiations,' he said, adding that any talks about Ukraine's future must include both Kyiv and European partners. 'Ukraine is an integral part of Europe – we are already in negotiations on EU accession. Therefore, Europe must be a participant in the relevant processes.' France hails 'progress' of Ukraine ceasefire deal, says onus is now on Russia For his part, Trump appeared to back away from earlier suggestions that a Putin-Zelensky meeting would be required before a summit could take place. When asked directly, the US president replied: 'No, he doesn't.' Despite a flurry of diplomatic activity – including a visit to Moscow this week by US special envoy Steve Witkoff – there's been no breakthrough on securing a ceasefire. Previous rounds of talks between Kyiv and Moscow have stalled, with Russia demanding Ukraine give up remaining territory and renounce Western support.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
France rakes in record €2.4bn from second home tax
Second home owners in France paid a record €2.4bn (£2.08bn) in tax last year after hundreds of municipalities increased their premiums. Property owners including 80,000 British nationals have been hit with steep extra charges as part of Emmanuel Macron's attempt to solve 'marked imbalances' between housing supply and demand. Experts anticipate revenue to increase year-on-year as more communes look to target second home owners. It comes after the UK Government introduced a tax raid on second home owners in April, allowing councils to hit owners with five-figure bills. In France, owners of a sole residence are immune to housing tax. The burden instead falls on second home owners – including around 80,000 Brits – who all pay a standard residence tax (taxe d'habitation), which is calculated on how much rent the property might achieve on the open market. On top of this, around one in 10 French communes have the power to impose an additional surcharge of between 5pc and 60pc. These are areas deemed to be under 'tense' housing pressures that are pricing out locals. Of the 3,697 communes granted these surcharge powers, 1,461 have introduced the levy. The number has grown five-fold since 2018, yet there is still scope for a significant boost in tax receipts should local authorities opt to increase their rates. Ross Irvine, of expat insurance firm William Russell, said: 'It's likely this income will continue to grow, either through more municipalities opting in or raising rates up to the legal cap of 60pc. 'Recently proposed legislation could also extend surcharge eligibility beyond housing pressure zones, making further expansion possible.' As it stands, 539 communes have implemented the full 60pc premium, while 58 have brought in the lowest 5pc rate. The average surcharge equates to 41pc – a far cry from the blunt 100pc charge imposed by English councils, and the maximum 300pc threshold granted to Welsh councils. This side of the Channel, disgruntled owners have been exploiting legal workarounds to avoid paying the tax, such as listing their property for sale for 12 months or flipping their home into a holiday let. Welsh councils have had the power to introduce premiums since 2017 while English authorities have only held the power since April. More than 200 councils have implemented the tax, with many seizing the opportunity to generate further income. By contrast, the French system targets areas with housing issues. Mr Irvine said the policy 'appears more streamlined and effective'. He explained: 'The legal framework clearly limits surcharge eligibility to designated communes and imposes a straightforward percentage increase, reducing ambiguity and closing many avenues for avoidance. 'Although some owners may find ways to game the system, such as swapping which property they declare as their primary residence, the majority of this surcharge is now binding and predictable, 'It gives local authorities a reliable revenue tool and expats less wiggle room than in the UK.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Paris Office of Israeli Airline El Al Vandalized with Graffiti
The Israeli airline El Al said Thursday that its Paris office was vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti, calling the act a 'deeply disturbing' incident as tensions between France and Israel run high. Red paint and the words 'El Al genocide airline" were discovered Thursday morning on the door outside the airline's office in the center of the French capital. El Al said that no one was in the office at the time of the incident and that no one was harmed, The Associated Press reported. The airline said it was handling the matter with the 'utmost gravity' and working in close coordination with authorities in France and Israel. El Al added it 'unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, particularly those driven by hatred,' and said its planes 'proudly' display the Israeli flag. French authorities announced that they opened an investigation into building 'degradation' with a racist or ethnically prejudicial intent. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev condemned the act and blamed the policies of French President Emmanuel Macron. 'Today it's El Al, tomorrow it's Air France,' she wrote on social media. 'When President Macron makes announcements that give gifts to Hamas, this is the result.' The incident comes amid diplomatic friction following Macron's pledge last month to recognize a Palestinian state — a move welcomed by some European allies but strongly opposed by Israel. Israel's Foreign Ministry also condemned what it called an antisemitic attack and urged the French government to ensure the safety of El Al staff and offices and to bring the perpetrators to justice. In May, several Jewish sites across Paris were defaced with green paint, including the Shoah Memorial, three synagogues and a Jewish restaurant. France is home to Western Europe's largest Jewish population, with an estimated 500,000 Jews — approximately 1% of the national population. In recent years, antisemitic incidents have surged, with a sharp increase reported in 2023 after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. These include physical assaults, threats, vandalism, and harassment, prompting alarm among Jewish communities and leaders.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
French court blocks return of bee-harming pesticide in farming law
PARIS: France's constitutional court on Thursday blocked the re-introduction of a pesticide accused of harming bees, in the latest twist in a fierce political battle in the European Union's biggest agricultural producer. The court said the re-authorisation of acetamiprid, part of the neonicotinoid group of pesticides banned in France, as proposed under a farming bill passed last month did not provide sufficient safeguards on the use of the crop chemical. The planned relaxation of France's neonicotinoid ban fuelled opposition to the legislation, with a petition against it gathering over 2 million signatures, a record for a petition on the website of France's National Assembly. The court's ruling is a setback for supporters, including most of France's farming unions and conservative politicians, including Senator Laurent Duplomb who gave his name to the bill. They had argued that acetamiprid is authorised elsewhere in Europe, as it does not pose the same risks as other neonicotinoids banned at EU level, and without it crops like sugar beets and hazelnuts face severe disease losses. However, the FNSEA and JA, two of France's main farmer unions, welcomed the court's approval of most of the legislation, including steps to simplify planning permission for livestock buildings and water reservoirs for irrigation. French President Emmanuel Macron, whose centrist allies in parliament were divided over the legislation, would sign the bill into law 'as soon as possible' in line with the court's decision, the Elysee said. - Reuters
