Tag: Emmanuel Macron

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Macron, Netanyahu Meet Over Arms Embargo

Macron also told Netanyahu his belief that it’s now time for a ceasefire…reports Asian Lite News

Paris, Oct 7 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation about the Middle East situation after the latter criticised the French leader’s call for an arms embargo on Israel.

A statement from the Elysee Palace noted that the two leaders acknowledged their different opinions on Sunday and emphasised their mutual desire for better understanding.

Macron also told Netanyahu his belief that it’s now time for a ceasefire, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

“The arms deliveries, the prolongation of the war in Gaza, and its extension to Lebanon cannot produce the security expected by the Israelis and by everyone in the region. We must immediately produce the decisive effort that will allow us to develop the political solutions necessary for the security of Israel and everyone in the Middle East,” read Elysee’s statement.

On the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas’ attack on Israel, Macron also reaffirmed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people, especially the victims, the hostages and their loved ones.

France-Israel relations became strained over the weekend after Macron’s radio interview on Saturday evening, where he stressed the need to prioritise a political solution and called for halting the supply of weapons to Israel for its operations in Gaza.

Netanyahu strongly condemned the stance, saying: “President Macron and other Western leaders are now advocating for arms embargoes on Israel. Shame on them.” He vowed that Israel would prevail regardless of external support.

The French government announced that Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot would meet with Israeli officials on Monday to further discuss the situation.

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New French PM Signals Rightward Shift, Takes Hard Line On Immigration

Michel Barnier’s government, which lacks a clear majority in a hung lower house of parliament, may include conservatives as well as members of Macron’s camp.

France’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, has signalled his position will be titled towards the right, as he said he will toughen the government’s stance on immigration and will defend some of President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, Al Jazeera reported.

Barnier said on Friday that his government, which lacks a clear majority in a hung lower house of parliament, will include conservatives as well as members of Macron’s camp.

He, however, said that members from other groups, including the left, are also welcome to back the new government. “There is no red line,” Barnier said, adding: “We need to open the door…to all those who want it.”

In a surprise pick, Macron, named 73-year-old Barnier, a conservative and the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as prime minister on Thursday, putting an end to a two-month political deadlock created after his ill-fated decision to call snap legislative elections that delivered an unruly hung parliament.

Barnier faces the daunting task of trying to drive reforms and the 2025 budget through that parliament as France is under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit, Al Jazeera reported.

Signalling his readiness to hold up some of Macron’s widely unpopular reform policies, which likely includes taking political risks, Barnier said he was not prepared to repeal the rise of the retirement age to 64 from 62 — a decision that had sparked massive protests in France last year.

“We must not call into question this law, which was adopted in very difficult circumstances,” Barnier said but added he was prepared to adjust the policy to better protect what he called “the most vulnerable”.

The left-wing New Popular Front and the far-right National Rally (RN), which together have a majority and could oust the prime minister through a no-confidence vote if they collaborate, had campaigned strongly against the reform.

Barnier also signalled taking a rightward shift on some issues, as he said he would pursue tougher policies to curb immigration. “There still is a feeling that our borders are sieves and that migration flows aren’t being controlled,” he said, adding: “I don’t have much in common with the ideologies of the National Rally, but I respect it.”

Earlier, Macron’s political rivals alleged Marine Le Pen’s party was exerting outsize power over the president, who nominated Barnier with the tacit support of the far right after spending weeks looking for a candidate who would not immediately be toppled by a majority of lawmakers, Al Jazeera reported.

The RN gave tentative support to Barnier’s nomination by saying it would not immediately try to vote it down but asserted that it could withdraw support at any point if its concerns on immigration, security and pocketbook issues were not met. (ANI)

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Macron warns of ‘civil war’ if far left or right wins election

A second round of voting will follow on July 7 in constituencies where no candidate takes more than 50 percent in the first round….reports Asian Lite News

President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the policies of his far-right and hard-left opponents could lead to “civil war,” as France prepared for its most divisive election in decades.

French politics were plunged into turmoil by Macron calling snap legislative elections after his centrist party was trounced by the far-right National Rally (RN) in a European vote earlier this month.

Weekend polls suggested the RN would win 35-36 percent in the first round on Sunday, ahead of a left-wing alliance on 27-29.5 percent and Macron’s centrists in third on 19.5-22 percent.

A second round of voting will follow on July 7 in constituencies where no candidate takes more than 50 percent in the first round.

Speaking on the podcast “Generation Do It Yourself,” Macron, 46, denounced both the RN as well as the hard-left France Unbowed party.

He said the far-right “divides and pushes toward civil war,” while the hard-left France Unbowed party, which is part of the New Popular Front alliance, proposes “a form of communitarianism,” adding that “civil war follows on from that, too.”

Earlier Monday, French far-right leader Jordan Bardella said his RN party was ready to govern as he pledged to curb immigration and tackle cost-of-living issues.

“In three words: we are ready,” Bardella, the RN’s 28-year-old president told a news conference as he unveiled his party’s program.

Bardella, credited with helping the RN clean up its extremist image, has urged voters to give the euroskeptic party an outright majority to allow it to implement its anti-immigration, law-and-order program.

“Seven long years of Macronism has weakened the country,” he said, vowing to boost purchasing power, “restore order” and change the law to make it easier to deport foreigners convicted of crimes.

He reiterated plans to tighten borders and make it harder for children born in France to foreign parents to gain citizenship.

Bardella added that the RN would focus on “realistic” measures to curb inflation, primarily by cutting energy taxes.

He also promised a disciplinary “big bang” in schools, including a ban on mobile phones and trialling the introduction of school uniforms, a proposal previously put forward by Macron.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal of Macron’s Renaissance party poured scorn on the RN’s economic program, telling Europe 1 radio the country was “headed straight for disaster” in the event of an RN victory.

On Tuesday, Attal will go head-to-head with Bardella in a TV debate.

On foreign policy, Bardella said the RN opposed sending French troops and long-range missiles to Ukraine — as mooted by Macron — but would continue to provide logistical and material support.

He added that his party, which had close ties to Russia before its invasion of Ukraine, would be “extremely vigilant” in the face of Moscow’s attempts to interfere in French affairs.

Macron insisted that France would continue to support Ukraine over the long term as he met with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

“We will continue to mobilize to respond to Ukraine’s immediate needs,” he said alongside Stoltenberg at the Elysee Palace.

The election is shaping up as a showdown between the RN and the leftist New Popular Front, which is dominated by the hard-left France Unbowed.

Bardella claimed the RN, which mainstream parties have in the past united to block, was now the “patriotic and republican” choice faced with what he alleged was the anti-Semitism of Melenchon’s party.

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Former French president says Macron ascendency ‘is over’

French President Emmanuel Macron( https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron)

Re-elected in 2022 for a second five-year term, Macron lost his absolute majority in parliament in legislative polls the same year….reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron’s ascendancy is “over,” former head of state Francois Hollande said, after his former protege called a snap election likely to hand massive gains to the far right.

“I have no scores to settle at all. That’s all in the past,” Hollande said on the campaign trail in his native Correze department in central France, where he is standing to be an MP. Suffering at the time from abysmal poll ratings, Socialist Hollande did not himself stand for a second term at the 2017 election.

Running as a pro-business centrist, his former economy minister Macron pulled off a surprise win that shattered traditional governing parties on the left and the right.

Now just two years into the younger man’s second term, “Macronism is over, if indeed it ever existed. But it’s over, I say it with no special hostility,” Hollande said. “I don’t mean that his presidential term is coming to an end, that’s something different. But what he may have represented for a time is over,” he added.

Re-elected in 2022 for a second five-year term, Macron lost his absolute majority in parliament in legislative polls the same year.

His party has limped on in minority government, passing hard-fought and controversial reforms including raising the pension age and toughening immigration law.But a heavy defeat at June 9’s European Parliament election prompted Macron to dissolve parliament in hopes of breaking the deadlock. A new chamber will be elected on June 30 and July 7 with the far-right National Rally (RN) looking set to win the most seats.

France’s two-round electoral system makes predicting outcomes tricky, but it is highly unlikely that Macron’s gamble will pay off by winning a new majority. Instead, he could find himself presiding over a government run by an ideological opponent. Macron’s rule has “had a heavy political cost,” Hollande said.

“The parties were heavily damaged and public morale was too. The far right has never been so strong.” Hollande’s Socialist party has formed an electoral alliance with other left parties including Greens, Communists and hard-left France Unbowed (LFI). Their New Popular Front (NFP) is currently running second to the RN in the polls, both well ahead of Macron’s Renaissance outfit.

“It’s time for a political realignment,” Hollande said. “I didn’t plan to stand for any election in my position, something very serious had to happen” in the shape of the RN’s more than 31 percent in the European election, he added.

Some Socialist voters have struggled with the idea of backing an alliance with LFI and its fiery leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, with some party figures accused of anti-Semitism and a history of Euroskeptic statements. “I’m in the framework of an alliance because it has to be done, but there’s no kind of confusion” between his positions and Melenchon’s, Hollande said.

If elected, “I’ll be an MP who will call for responsibility whatever happens… vigilant and committed to finding solutions,” he added.

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Biden, Macron express different views on Gaza war

US President Biden, who is currently on an official state visit to Paris, held meetings with his France counterpart….reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden and France President Emmanuel Macron emphasised their agreement with each other about the ongoing global affairs, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, both countries express different views on fighting in Gaza, The New York Times reported.

US President Biden, who is currently on an official state visit to Paris, held meetings with his France counterpart.

During a media presence, the two presidents declined to take any questions and papered over their stark differences about the Middle East.

They both, however, asserted the enduring strength of the American-French partnership on climate, the economy, European security and cultural ties, The New York Times reported.

“Today, I proudly stand with France to support freedom and democracy around the world,” Biden said after a closed-door meeting at the Elysee Palace.

Highlighting the Russia-Ukraine war, Macron said, “We see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine.”

He added that he hoped “all members of the G7 will agree to a USD 50 billion solidarity fund for Ukraine,” referring to the Group of 7 industrialized nations.

French President Macron’s comments suggested that both leaders had reached a common ground over a plan to leverage proceeds from frozen Russian assets to provide an upfront loan of up to USD 50 billion to Ukraine, as reported by The New York Times.

The American officials said heading into the meeting that France was the main holdout for such a plan and that they were hoping to win support during the Paris visit.

Further, Macron, on Gaza, noted his government’s support for an Israeli cease-fire proposal that US President Biden has strongly backed.

The French president, however, also directly challenged Israel to do more to deliver aid to Palestinians suffering from the government’s bombardment.

“It is not acceptable that Israel should not open all checkpoints to humanitarian aid, as requested by the united international community for months,” Macron said, adding that Israeli operations in Gaza “should stop.”

Earlier, France supported the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek warrants for the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza.

Meanwhile, US President Biden condemned that effort, calling it an unconscionable comparison of the two leaders.

Moreover in May, France also voted in the United Nations to include Palestine as a full member of the organization, which the US has opposed, The New York Times reported.

However, neither Biden nor Macron mentioned any of the disagreements about the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The French president praised President Biden as “a partner who respects Europeans,” a line that sounded like a distinction from former president Donald Trump, who often denigrated European leaders. “Thank you for being at Europe’s side,” Macron added.

“You’ve become a good friend,” Biden responded, according to The New York Times. (ANI)

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Macron Applauds Modi, Praises Partnership

New Delhi, Sept 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a light moment with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

Macron stated that together, India and France will continue to strengthen the strategic partnership that unites them….reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday congratulated “dear friend” Narendra Modi as the BJP-led NDA prepares to form a government for the third consecutive time in India.

“India has concluded the world’s largest elections! Congratulations Narendra Modi, my dear friend. Together we will continue strengthening the strategic partnership that unites India and France,” Macron posted on X.

Over the past few years, the relationship between the two countries has expanded to several new areas under the leadership of both leaders — from the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to developing helicopter engines together.

Last year, Prime Minister Modi attended the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris as a ‘Guest of Honour’ on the French President’s invitation as both nations marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

France also conferred PM Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the country’s highest award.

The Indo-French ties received a major boost earlier this year as Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations during his two-day state visit in January.

The French President also visited India during the G-20 Summit in September last year.

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Macron unveils special programme on French for Indian students

Bali : Prime Minister Narendra Modi with France president Emmanuel Macron during G20 Summit in Bali on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Twitter)

The decision comes after French President Macron attended the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as a chief guest….reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a special programme for Indian students to learn French for a year in France before pursuing the degree of their choice.

The decision comes after French President Macron attended the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as a chief guest.

The classes are designed to help India’s brightest high school graduates access France’s rich, diverse, and world-renowned educational offerings without being limited to English-taught programmes alone, the French Embassy in India said in a statement.

Under the programme, regardless of already being a French language learner or a complete beginner, a student can now be admitted to French-taught undergraduate programmes of French higher education institutions after successfully completing a foundational year of immersive language training at that institution.

The decision is seen as a significant step towards India-France ties as PM Modi and President Macron have agreed to support the initiative of setting up international classes which will enable, from September 2024 onwards, Indian students to be taught French as a foreign language, methodology and academic contents in highly reputed French universities in France during one academic year, before entering their chosen curricula in France.

During President Macron’s visit to India, he visited the Amber Fort in Jaipur where he met Indian students from Alliance Francaise de Jaipur, the French departments of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, and alumni back from France after graduation.

The President stressed France’s commitment to opening up more opportunities for Indian students, exemplified by initiatives such as International Classes, 5-year short-stay Schengen visa for alumni and the fact that India is now the largest beneficiary of French academic scholarships.

He reiterated, “We want to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030” and added that, if this goal is met, “I would be the happiest President”.

The French embassy said in a statement that the programme is open to all Indian students, irrespective of their current level of French. Academic excellence is the only prerequisite and offers access to world-renowned French higher education institutions across all fields, universities, grandes ecoles, engineering, management, sciences, humanities, arts, and other specialised schools.

The students will be immersed in French culture and language and can partake in the student activities of the institution like all other students.

Moreover, the French language classes are tailored to the field of studies chosen by the student, complemented by preparatory courses in the field and outstanding students will be awarded scholarships by the Embassy of France in India to support their higher education in France. India is the largest beneficiary of French scholarships.

The students could apply for the programme till March 31, 2024. (ANI)

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Macron Calls For Joint European Debt to Invest in ‘Future’

Macron stressed the importance of enhancing financial integration within the European Union….reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to collectively assume common debt, similar to measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, to address the need for increased investment in the continent. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Macron emphasized the necessity for greater European public investment and suggested the revival of ‘Eurobonds’ to address significant future priorities.

Highlighting 2024 as a pivotal year due to upcoming European Parliament polls, Macron stressed the importance of enhancing financial integration within the European Union. He called for a deepening of the capital markets union, emphasizing the urgency of creating a more financially integrated Europe.

Even if faced with resistance at the EU level, Macron expressed France’s commitment to pursuing “closer cooperation” with other nations on the matter, emphasizing the need for progress. Macron acknowledged that while Europe possesses financial resources, they are currently “poorly allocated,” lacking efficiency in directing funds toward the appropriate areas and sectors.

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Macron Thanks Modi For R-Day Invite

Bali : Prime Minister Narendra Modi with France president Emmanuel Macron during G20 Summit in Bali on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Twitter)

This is the sixth time a French leader becoming the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday confirmed his visit as Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations next year and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation.

“Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I’ll be here to celebrate with you!” Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that he will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations on PM Modi’s invitation.

“At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the MEA said in a statement.

India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners.

Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital.

Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India’s Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, as were former Presidents Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016, respectively.

This year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Moreover, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris, the MEA stated.

He had visited France at the invitation of French President Macron.

“To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade,” the PMO said in a statement.

During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha,’ while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade.

Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India’s Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress.

India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. (ANI)

India Looks Forward to Macron’s Visit, Says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India looks forward to receiving French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day.

“My dear friend President @EmmanuelMacron, we eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India-France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values. Bientot!” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’ on Friday.

On Friday, French President Macron confirmed his visit as Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations next year and thanked PM Modi for the invitation.

“Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I’ll be here to celebrate with you!” Macron posted on X.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that he will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations on PM Modi’s invitation.

“At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the MEA said in a statement.

India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners.

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French President Macron Due In Israel

French President Macron has been a firm supporter of Israel since the Hamas group has launched a series of attacks on Israel since October 7…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced that he will visit Israel following the fatal terror attacks by Hamas terror group in Israel, reported The Jerusalem Post.

French President Macron has been a firm supporter of Israel since the Hamas group has launched a series of attacks on Israel since October 7, killing 1400 Israelis and abducting nearly 200 people to Gaza.

Amongst one of those kidnapped by the Hamas terrorists, French Israeli citizen Maya Schem appeared in a video posted on Telegram on Monday, following which, Macron demanded her “immediate and unconditional release,” reported The Jerusalem Post.

Earlier on October 8, Macron held talks with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning the attack carried out on Israel and affirmed France’s support for the country.

Macron held talks with Netanyahu and Herzog after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on Saturday morning following Hamas’ surprise attack.

Taking to social media ‘X’, Macron stated, “I have spoken to President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu. I condemn the attacks carried out from Gaza on Israel, its soldiers and its people. France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves.”

Former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday met with the family members of several French citizens who have been missing since Hamas attacked Israel.

He comforted the family members of those missing in Tel Aviv. He further emphasized that the main objective was to secure victory over Hamas.

Moreover, Israel’s National Unity Party Leader Benny Gantz will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz following his arrival on Tuesday, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Additionally, Israel’s Minister without Portfolio Gadi Eisenkot and MK Alon Schuster will also meet with Scholz.

According to the Gaza-based Health ministry, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750 and the number of wounded has risen to 9,700. In a previous statement, the ministry said over 750 children were among the people killed in the Israeli attacks.

Meanwhile, the Death toll in Israel from the surprise Hamas attack is now more than 1,400, said Israel Defence Force (IDF). (ANI)

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