Loading...
Summary
Domestic
French President Emmanuel Macron is contending with several domestic economic challenges. He is advocating for a major European economic reset, calling for the creation of shared European debt and a 'European preference' in strategic sectors like defense, setting a June deadline for agreement among European leaders. Domestically, his government adopted its 2026 budget after surviving no-confidence votes in parliament, while the National Rally party sought to block a budget measure ending a public fund's use for driving licenses. Macron also visited the Wine Paris trade show to support the French wine industry amid declining exports. Separately, the governor of the French central bank, François Villeroy de Galhau, resigned.
In other domestic developments, video game company Ubisoft faced a significant strike by its workers in France. In sports, the Lens soccer team moved to the top of Ligue 1 standings after a 3-0 victory over Paris FC.
International
In international economic affairs, Airbus reported strong financial results but lowered its annual delivery target due to engine shortages from Pratt & Whitney. The company is expanding globally, opening a new assembly line in India and noting increased competition from China's Comac. Separately, French technology company Capgemini decided to sell its US subsidiary that provided services to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement following public criticism.
On the European stage, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of 'extremely strong' competition from China and ongoing US trade pressures, calling for European industrial support. He criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk as 'over-subsidized'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Macron showed unity on European competition, though Berlin rejected Macron's proposal for more joint EU debt. Separately, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde faced criticism for an additional salary payment from the Bank for International Settlements but denied plans to leave her post early.
Domestic and International Topics
16 topics | 295 sources
FRFrench President Emmanuel Macron criticized Elon Musk, calling him 'over-subsidized' and argued that Europe needs to support its own companies to compete with the United States and China. He said Europe faces 'extremely strong' competition and that American trade threats are not over. Macron also pushed for a 'European preference' in strategic sectors and for the EU to issue more common debt, known as Eurobonds, to fund investments. German officials, including Friedrich Merz, pushed back against the debt proposal, calling it a 'distraction,' but the two leaders agreed on the need for economic reforms. Macron set a June deadline for the EU to agree on an economic relaunch plan.
person:macronperson:merzperson:muskorg:euorg:bnp paribastopic:tariffstopic:eurobondsplace:europe
Feb 10 — Feb 21
French President Emmanuel Macron is dealing with economic challenges including supporting the struggling wine industry, which has seen three straight years of declining exports. Meanwhile, China is considering investigating French wine imports in response to proposed French tariffs, creating additional pressure on the sector.
person:macronperson:villeroy de galhauperson:hudsonorg:inraeorg:banque de franceorg:sanofitopic:winetopic:snails
Feb 13
EUAirbus reported strong financial results but is dealing with significant production problems, lowering its delivery target due to engine shortages from supplier Pratt & Whitney. Separately, India has fined Air India over an Airbus-related incident that eroded public confidence, highlighting broader challenges in the aviation sector involving Airbus aircraft.
person:macronorg:airbusorg:euorg:pratt & whitneytopic:aircraftplace:europe
Feb 27
The Lens soccer team had a dominant 3-0 victory over Paris FC in France's Ligue 1. The win puts Lens at the top of the league standings, moving ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Separately, video game company Ubisoft is facing a significant strike by its workers in France, with reports of high participation.
org:lensorg:ubisoftorg:paris fcplace:franceplace:paris
Feb 15 — Feb 27
USThe French technology company Capgemini is selling its US subsidiary, which provided services to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision to sell the unit follows public criticism and anger over its work with the agency, which has been involved in a controversial immigration crackdown.
org:capgeminiorg:ice
Feb 1
The French government has adopted its budget for 2026. This happened after the government survived several no-confidence votes in parliament. Separately, the National Rally party has asked the Constitutional Council to block a measure in the budget that would end the use of a public training fund to pay for driving licenses.
topic:budget
Feb 4
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is facing criticism for receiving an additional €140,000 salary from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). This payment appears to violate ECB rules that ban staff from receiving extra pay for their official duties. Lagarde has dismissed reports that she plans to leave her position early, telling the Wall Street Journal that her 'baseline' is to complete her term. She specifically denied plans to quit before the end of French President Emmanuel Macron's term.
person:lagardeorg:ecborg:bis
Feb 23 — Feb 25
person:macrontopic:lngplace:europe
Feb 10
topic:climate policyplace:franceplace:europe
Feb 12