French left

Candidates in the French left's Socialist primary faced off in their second televised debate, and the tone was notably combative. Libération's account of the exchange described the candidates as less united than ever, with clashes over strategy and direction underscoring the fractured state of the party ahead of the vote. The debate is drawing close attention as the left weighs who should carry its banner into the next election.

Raphaël Glucksmann is one of five candidates being examined in the French social-democratic primary ahead of upcoming elections. Le Nouvel Obs has published a review comparing the proposals of all five contenders, putting their programmes to the test as left-wing voters weigh who should lead the social-democratic camp.

Emmanuel Maurel is among the candidates taking part in the televised debate for the French left's primary election, broadcast on France 2 and France Inter from 20:40. The debate brings together contenders vying for the left's nomination, and viewers are following the exchanges live as candidates set out their positions ahead of the primary vote.

French Socialist leader Olivier Faure and MEP Raphaël Glucksmann have publicly clashed over whether Israel's campaign in Gaza should be described as a genocide. The exchange comes as the French left positions itself ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the dispute exposing divisions over Middle East policy within the left-wing alliance.

Raphaël Glucksmann took part in the second debate of the French socialist primary, joining the five left-wing candidates. The discussion focused heavily on the Russian threat, with candidates setting out their positions on Russia and European security. The primary is shaping the left's candidate for upcoming elections, and the exchanges drew wide attention in French media.

Ségolène Royal is drawing attention in France after comments framed around the 2027 presidential race. Les Echos describes her taking a combative role, portraying her as shooting from the hip as potential candidates position themselves. The former presidential candidate and Socialist minister remains a polarising figure on the French left, and her interventions are being read as part of early jockeying ahead of the next election.

Gérard Larcher has been re-elected president of the French Senate in the first round of voting, winning 203 of the 302 votes cast. The announcement was met with a long ovation in the chamber. The long-serving conservative, nicknamed 'Gégé', comfortably beat his rivals from the left, underlining the right's continued grip on the upper house.

French sociologist and economist Bernard Friot is featured in a new conversation covering the emancipation of labour, colonialism, elections, and the role of political parties and trade unions. The discussion revisits his longstanding ideas on rethinking salary and social protections, circulating among French-speaking left-wing and activist audiences interested in alternatives to the current economic order.