A French parliamentary investigation into the contamination of infant formula with cereulide toxin found that the food safety system was unprepared for emerging hazards and that manufacturers, particularly Nestlé, delayed recalls. The report criticizes the five-week gap between the first recall and crisis center notification, and recommends strengthening controls, transparency, and EU regulation of emerging toxins.

G7 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Paris, led by French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, reaffirmed strong indefinite support for Ukraine and commitment to maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia to prevent it from financing its war effort. They also stressed that Russia should not benefit from the Middle East conflict and emphasized multilateral cooperation as a key tool amid geopolitical tensions.

Bernard Cazeneuve, former Prime Minister under François Hollande, confirmed on France Inter his intention to run in the 2027 French presidential election. He positions himself as a social-democratic alternative against what he calls the 'dégagisme' of far-right and far-left blocs, citing a grave international context and political fragmentation that could lead to a second-round runoff between La France Insoumise and the National Rally. He announced a forthcoming program and emphasized the need for credible proposals and responsibility.

RN vice-president Sébastien Chenu, in a May 19, 2026 Franceinfo interview, called for a firm dialogue with Algeria over detained French journalist Christophe Gleizes, proposing visa restrictions and credit freezes as leverage. He criticized the government's fuel price relief as insufficient, advocating permanent measures funded by cuts to international cooperation, wind subsidies, EU contributions, and state medical aid. Chenu defended RN's outreach to business leaders while denying ideological alignment, and urged cinema professionals to negotiate with Canal+ after a boycott threat over an anti-Bolloré petition.

The G7 countries, after cutting aid budgets significantly in 2025 (US by 56%, France by 19%), have replaced the term 'development aid' with 'mutually beneficial partnerships' in their final communiqué. Critics argue this shift, justified by the emergence of some developing countries, ignores widening global inequalities and risks turning aid into leverage for donor interests, while calling for alternative financing from diasporas and philanthropic foundations.

Background: The French Banking Federation proposed state-backed guarantees to help presidential candidates secure loans, as the National Rally struggled to find a lender for €10.7 million. Today, RN vice-president Sébastien Chenu confirmed that French banks are refusing loans for the party's 2027 presidential campaign, underscoring persistent financial hurdles for the far-right party despite its status as France's largest party. Chenu reiterated that banks are denying loans for the 2027 campaign, emphasizing the ongoing financial challenges the RN faces ahead of the election.

Actress Sara Forestier called on French lawmakers to prioritize a proposed law against sexual violence in the film and culture industry, warning that inaction would show #MeToo was 'just hot air.' The bill, introduced by deputies Erwan Balanant and Sandrine Rousseau, includes 19 articles to protect minors, ban financial penalties for whistleblowers, and require employers to report abuse. It faces a crowded legislative calendar.

Background: Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada announced at the Cannes Film Festival that the group will stop working with 600 industry professionals who signed a petition against owner Vincent Bolloré. Today: Sébastien Chenu, vice-president of the National Rally, called on cinema professionals to negotiate with Canal+ to resolve the conflict, criticizing the petition's language and describing signatories as "antifa de festival." He defended Canal+'s role as a key film financier and urged parties to "sit around the table" to ensure continued funding for French cinema.