France attracted 852 foreign investment projects in 2025, maintaining its lead over the UK (730) and Germany (548) for the seventh consecutive year, according to EY's annual attractiveness barometer. However, the overall number of projects in Europe fell by 7%, making it the region with the sharpest global decline in international investment.

An analysis piece discusses the renewed debate on establishing a European nuclear deterrent, driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and doubts about US security guarantees. It examines France's 'forward deterrence' concept, the potential for a European nuclear triad, and the role of non-EU NATO members, particularly Turkey, which is currently excluded from emerging European-led deterrence initiatives despite its strategic location and military capabilities.

Background: France and Algeria have been working to repair relations after a diplomatic crisis, with French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visiting Algiers in May 2026 to restart judicial cooperation. New development: French ambassador Stéphane Romatet returned to Algeria on May 8, 2026, after being recalled for over a year following the expulsion of 12 French diplomats by Algiers. He participated in commemorations of the 1945 Sétif massacres alongside French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces Alice Rufo. His return follows a visit by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez in mid-February and is part of a broader effort to restore bilateral ties. Key issues remain, including the detention of French national Christophe Gleizes, security cooperation, and immigration.

Background: Former French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin donated two Napoleon statuettes to the Quai d'Orsay after a TV investigation alleged they were gifts from lobbyist Robert Bourgi, paid for by former Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaoré and Italian businessman Gian Angelo Perrucci. The French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) opened a preliminary inquiry into Villepin for suspected concealment of misappropriation of public funds concerning the statuettes and a bust allegedly offered to him between 2002 and 2004 by Bourgi, funded by Compaoré and Perrucci. Villepin returned the items to the Quai d'Orsay in late April and acknowledged it was an error to accept them, noting that accepting such gifts was not illegal at the time.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, stated on France Inter on May 20, 2025, that she hopes the assisted dying law will be fully applicable by the end of 2025. She aims for a final parliamentary vote before the summer recess in July, followed by government decrees. The bill, which creates a right to assisted suicide and euthanasia, has passed the Assembly twice but been rejected by the Senate, leading to a legislative standoff.

France's emergency agricultural bill has returned to the National Assembly, triggering intense debates over pesticides, water storage, and livestock farming. The government aims to support farmers under economic and environmental pressure, but faces opposition from left-wing parties over environmental protections and from the far-right National Rally for not going far enough. Key issues include the potential reintroduction of banned insecticide acetamiprid and water management reforms that critics say encourage mega-reservoirs. The bill also seeks to strengthen farmers' bargaining power against retailers and introduces tougher penalties for farm thefts. Over 2,200 amendments have been tabled, with a final vote planned for 2 June.

The French Parliament failed to block the appointment of Emmanuel Moulin, a close ally of President Macron, as Governor of the Bank of France, despite a majority voting against him. The required three-fifths majority to block the nomination was not reached. Moulin, a former Secretary-General of the Elysée, pledged independence during his hearings. The appointment is controversial due to concerns over political independence, following similar appointments of Macron allies to key independent institutions. Minister Mathieu Lefèvre defended the nomination, calling Moulin a 'great servant of the state.'

The French prosecutor general has requested a dismissal of the perjury investigation against Minister Aurore Bergé, who was suspected of lying under oath about her ties to a private daycare lobbyist. The case originated from a parliamentary inquiry into the economic model of daycare centers. Bergé had denied any personal or intimate relationship with the lobbyist, but a book alleged a non-aggression pact between them. The minister has filed a defamation complaint.

Stellantis is set to unveil a strategy including an electric successor to the Citroën 2CV. Jean-Luc Mélenchon proposes banning billionaires from owning multiple media outlets, targeting groups like those of Bernard Arnault and Vincent Bolloré. France's Education Ministry announces anti-cheating measures including phone and smartwatch detectors for baccalaureate exams.