France Across Borders

 13 March 2025 The French government has restarted negotiations with one of its territories, New Caledonia, after nine months of deadly protests and rioting. These riots began in May of 2024, when disputes arose over a proposed constitutional amendment. These riots began to turn deadly, and small bursts of violence continue even to now. The defense minister has stated that talks have been resumed and a conclusion will follow eventually.

 9 March 2025 The French defense minister has stated that Paris is preparing an aid package to be sent to Ukraine, worth nearly €200 million. This comes after the US halted military aid to Ukraine, in a major blow to its battle against Russia. The aid package contains many military weapons and is supported by the UK. The French government has stated that Europe must be wary of Russian interference in their governments, and that they must maintain support for Ukraine even as the US begins to withdraw.

 6 March 2025 Emmanuel Macron, president of France, made a televised announcement urging Europe to stand firm against Russia and its war in Ukraine, after American president Donald Trump announced he wanted to make direct negotiations with Moscow. Macron stated that Russia could not be trusted, and that its aggressive behavior, and instead Europe should invest heavily into its defense budget. Macron also stated that France must make some concessions to contribute to this defense budget, in order to preserve the peace in Europe.

 26 Feb 2025     The French government, which had lowered the number of visas able to be granted to Algerian officials, was criticized by the Algerian Foreign Affairs Ministry for following "orders from the far-right".     The former French colony has had worsening diplomatic relations with France ever since its independence. The latest incident, where a schizophrenic Algerian national attacked multiple people with a knife, provoked the French government to clamp down on Algerian visas. However, Algerians make up 12.2 percent of immigrants living in France.     The Algerian government issued a statement on the visa issue, stating that they were "in no way informed", and that the measures were "part of the long list of provocations, intimidations, and threats directed against Algeria".     France has held a meeting tackling immigration issues, and is working to resolve the dispute. However, with ministers discussing restricting visas issued to...

23 Feb 2025     The French Senate has adopted a social security bill, ending a months-long crisis that had toppled the previous government. The bill, officially the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS), passed the senate 225 to 104.      The bill was passed four months after being introduced, and the ruling MoDem party had to make concessions in order to avoid losing a no confidence vote, which caused previous prime minister Michel Barnier's government to be dissolved.

 France is a country in Europe. Its capital is Paris and its population is 68.6 million. Its official language is French. It is ruled currently by Emmanuel Macron, in a unitary semi-presidential republic. Its motto is “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”.