French far right

A new poll projects France's 2027 presidential election could come down to a run-off between far-right leader Marine Le Pen's camp and hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon, sidelining President Emmanuel Macron's centrist bloc. Commentators see the projection as a sign of deepening polarisation in French politics, with the mainstream centre at risk of being squeezed out of the second round entirely.

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, where mayors and local councillors choose half of the upper house's seats. The results point to the National Rally's continued expansion beyond its traditional strongholds. Observers see the vote as another sign of the party's growing normalization and mainstream acceptance in French politics.

Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally party, has rejected a media report claiming he made antisemitic remarks, calling the allegation false. The denial was picked up by international outlets including Reuters and U.S. News & World Report. The dispute comes as Bardella is a leading figure in French politics ahead of the next presidential election, with his party seeking to shed its antisemitic image.

France's far-right National Rally has made significant gains in elections to the French Senate, an institution long dominated by mainstream conservative and centrist forces. The result marks a notable advance for the party of Marine Le Pen in a chamber where it previously held little representation. The surge is being read as another sign of the far right's growing foothold in French institutions following its recent national breakthroughs.

Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally party, says he has filed a lawsuit over a claim that he made antisemitic remarks. The 29-year-old, a leading figure of the French right, rejects the allegation as false and is pursuing legal action against it. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the party's record on antisemitism ahead of French political developments.

France's far right has achieved a historic victory in elections to the French Senate, a result with no precedent in the chamber's history. The win marks a significant breakthrough for the nationalist right in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservative and centre-left groups, and is being closely watched for what it signals about the party's growing national strength.

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, expanding its presence in the upper house of parliament. The results add to the party's momentum in French politics and may complicate President Emmanuel Macron's ability to secure majorities in the chamber, where senators are elected by local officials rather than directly by voters.

Marine Le Pen is polling as the frontrunner for France's 2027 presidential election, according to trending reports. Early surveys suggest the far-right Rassemblement National leader holds a lead over potential rivals, months ahead of the vote. Commentators are debating whether she can convert poll numbers into victory after previous near-misses, and how rivals on the mainstream right and left might unite to block her.

France's far-right National Rally has made significant gains in partial Senate elections, according to The Guardian. The result marks a notable advance for the party in the upper house, where it has historically held little representation. The surge will fuel debate over the far right's growing reach in French institutions ahead of future national votes.

France's far-right National Rally has made significant gains in indirect Senate elections, marking a breakthrough in a chamber where it previously held almost no seats. The result points to the party's growing entrenchment across French political institutions, extending its influence beyond the National Assembly. Observers see it as another sign of the far right's normalisation in French politics, with implications for President Macron's already weakened position.

France's Rassemblement National has formed a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, marking a historic step for Marine Le Pen's far-right party in the upper house of parliament. Reaching the threshold for an official group gives the party greater speaking time, committee seats and institutional legitimacy, and is being read as further evidence of its growing normalisation in French politics.

France's far right has increased its presence in the Senate following indirect elections by local officials, according to France 24. The result adds to recent electoral momentum for far-right parties in the country and is likely to fuel debate over their growing influence in French politics, including their ability to shape legislation and the upper house's leadership.

France's Rassemblement National will form a parliamentary group in the Senate for the first time, having won at least 10 seats in the indirect senatorial elections. The party picked up a seat in Gironde, another in Var, and two in Bouches-du-Rhône. Observers are framing the milestone as a first step toward broader institutional presence for the far right, long marginalised in the upper house.

France's far-right National Rally announced it has secured enough seats to form a group in the Senate for the first time in its history, following the senatorial elections. The breakthrough would give the party greater institutional weight, speaking time and committee positions in the upper house, and marks a new step in its expansion beyond the National Assembly.

Early results from France's Senate elections indicate the far right will form a parliamentary group in the upper house for the first time. Reaching the threshold required for an official group marks a symbolic breakthrough for the party in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservatives, giving it greater speaking time and committee roles.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon publicly celebrated the election of his son-in-law Gabriel Amard to the French Senate, claiming that in every department La France Insoumise scores far higher than its number of grand electors would suggest. He called the result an "auspicious sign for 2027", while also noting that the RN has tripled its presence, fueling debate on the left's and far-right's momentum.

The Israeli government official in charge of fighting antisemitism has publicly come to the defence of Jordan Bardella, who faces accusations of antisemitism. The intervention has drawn attention in France, where reactions are split between those citing the official's support as vindication and critics who find the backing of a far-right figure by an Israeli antisemitism envoy paradoxical.

The United States and Chile are meeting in an international friendly on 30 September 2026, with the match currently being followed live by fans. Coverage across French-speaking sports outlets includes live score updates, predicted line-ups and betting previews, with no goals reported so far. Both teams are using the fixture as preparation, and supporters are watching the starting compositions and early scoreline closely.

The trial of Béziers mayor Robert Ménard opens in Montpellier this Wednesday. The far-right mayor is prosecuted for refusing to marry a foreign national who was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). The case has drawn national attention, touching on mayors' duties, immigration policy and the limits of civil disobedience by elected officials, and is widely covered by French media including CNews.

A French educator working with high school students says attempts to discuss food and nutrition during the lunch break often veer into far-right talking points, leaving her unsure how to respond. She is asking peers for advice on handling these moments. The account has drawn attention among teachers and education observers in France, sparking discussion about how political rhetoric surfaces in everyday school conversations and how staff can respond.

Former France footballer and anti-racism advocate Lilian Thuram responded to Marine Le Pen's claim that she is not racist, telling RTL "It makes me laugh." The exchange between the ex-international and the French far-right leader has drawn attention in France, reigniting debate over Le Pen's record and rhetoric on race and immigration.

Analysis from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace argues that Marine Le Pen stands to gain politically from the ongoing stalemate in Ukraine. The piece suggests that a prolonged, inconclusive war feeds French voter fatigue with military aid and sanctions, strengthening the appeal of the far-right leader's calls for de-escalation and a France-first foreign policy ahead of electoral contests.

Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally, has accused opponents of waging a 'war' on the party following claims of antisemitism within its ranks. The comments, reported by the Guardian, come as the party faces renewed scrutiny in France over alleged antisemitic behaviour, with Bardella framing the accusations as a politically motivated campaign against the movement.

Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally, has accused political opponents of waging a 'war' on his party amid claims of antisemitism within its ranks. The row has reignited debate over the far-right party's record on antisemitism and its efforts to rebrand itself. Bardella rejects the accusations as a political attack.