France’s aversion to coalitions means any new government risks early collapse
Snap election brings three roughly equal blocs and unwillingness to compromise or form ‘unnatural alliances’
June 2024
France elections: unpopular ex-president François Hollande to run for parliament again
His former Socialist party reacted coolly to move, with one senior figure saying they were ‘devastated’
May 2024
François Hollande’s ‘love scooter’ fetches over €20,000 at auction
Former French president’s bike, on which he was snapped riding to visit his lover in 2014, sells for double its listed price
February 2023
For years, Putin didn’t invade Ukraine. What made him finally snap in 2022?
Anatol Lieven
This war is Russia’s fault. But European nations rebuffing Russia during the noughties did not help, says Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
November 2021
France ‘did everything it could’ to foil terror attacks, Hollande tells court
Ex-president tells trial the government had no prior warning of Paris 2015 attacks
September 2021
Four in 10 young people fear having children due to climate crisis
Global survey finds most 16-25 year olds worry a lot about the future, and many feel failed by governments
June 2021
French parliament votes to extend IVF rights to lesbians and single women
Under current law only heterosexal couples can access medically assisted reproduction methods
March 2021
The Guardian view on Nicolas Sarkozy: another name on the roll of dishonour
Editorial: French society is no longer prepared to tolerate a culture of impunity at the top of politics
February 2021
'Chaos has an upside': the making of Trump Takes On the World
How Donald Trump's hand-holding led to panicky call home by Theresa May
December 2020
The EU's red lines were clear in 2016
Analysis: ‘No cherry-picking,’ they said. And they meant it. The position four years ago is the position now
May 2020
'This is so wrong': Hollande highlights domestic violence in French lockdown
Ex-president backs new app for victims as WHO reports 60% rise in domestic abuse calls
April 2020
What the butler saw: sex secrets of French presidents' palace revealed
For 300 years staff at the Elysée witnessed men flaunting their power over women, but no longer, says author of a new book
December 2019
The Observer's obituaries of 2019
Jacques Chirac remembered by François Hollande
The two-term French president was a fierce opponent who had panache and never gave up on what he believed in, says one of his successors at the Elysée
October 2019
Europe now
Chirac delivered little and left office under a cloud. Why does France now love him?
Marion Van Renterghem
The warmth and nostalgia for Jacques Chirac since his death come from a national longing for less populist politics, writes French journalist Marion Van Renterghem
July 2019
Thrash-metal EU history, exile tales and François Hollande light up Avignon
The Palais des Papes’ cat prowls through Pascal Rambert’s show, Christiane Jatahy sensationally channels Homer and the former French president makes a surprise appearance
April 2019
World leaders react to devastating Notre Dame fire in Paris
Barack Obama among those to express their sorrow as French president vows to rebuild
January 2019
Politics live with Andrew Sparrow
Theresa May tells MPs she has identified 'three key changes' needed to her Brexit policy – as it happened
Theresa May sets out to MPs her plan B following the Commons defeat of her Brexit plan
September 2018
Rachel Cooke on food
Barack Obama’s not keen on pudding. This means we can never be friends
The best way to tell if you’re compatible with someone? See how much butter they spread on their bread and how often they order dessert
August 2018
Why Brigitte Macron is the most loved French first lady for years
Supportive yet discreet, strong but without ambition, the president’s wife is a huge hit in a country which reveres alluring older women
