France in August 2026: the most important developments in politics
In August 2026 France took part in a series of joint positions on the Middle East and held a state visit with Saudi Arabia. On August 20 France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy jointly condemned Israel's E1 settlement plan east of Jerusalem, saying it undermines the two-state solution; the British government threatened sanctions if it goes ahead. Paris also condemned West Bank settler violence and an Israeli minister's call to kill Gaza residents. On August 18 France announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, and Iran expelled two French diplomats in return. President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on August 23 and 24 for talks on trade, energy and regional security, and France became the first country to join Riyadh's Expo 2030.
The 2027 presidential race took shape. Polls put Marine Le Pen in the lead, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon in contention for a place in the run-off. Jordan Bardella, who was the only candidate to lead the National Rally again, was reported to enjoy voters' trust. Raphaël Glucksmann announced his candidacy on August 24, and Edouard Philippe positioned himself apart from Le Pen. Le Pen promised to clean up public finances, and a clash between government and opposition over the next budget was under way. The first debate among candidates was held on August 28. Macron signalled at Brégançon that he would not act as a lame duck.
On domestic law, the Constitutional Council approved the assisted dying law on August 14 and Macron signed it on August 18 or 19. A ban on mobile phones in high schools takes effect with the new school term.
Relations with Russia and other states stayed tense. Paris prosecutors opened an inquiry into alleged Russian interference targeting a member of the European Parliament, and a French court rejected the appeal of a pro-Kremlin commentator against his expulsion. Russia threatened to board British and French ships in retaliation for seizures of shadow fleet vessels. Finland proposed extending the French nuclear umbrella to its territory, and France said it would not pay 140 billion euros to Ukraine alone. Mali pardoned a French national and freed a French intelligence agent, while two French filmmakers remained detained in Togo.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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