France — Daily Briefings

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French court orders TotalEnergies to account for client emissions in landmark climate ruling

A French court has ordered energy giant TotalEnergies to include its clients' greenhouse gas emissions in its climate plan, marking the first application of France's Corporate Duty of Vigilance law to climate change. The ruling, brought by NGOs including Notre Affaire à Tous, gives the company six months to comply and sets a precedent for corporate accountability for scope 3 emissions. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for January 2027.

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A French court has ordered energy giant TotalEnergies to include its clients' greenhouse gas emissions in its climate plan, marking the first application of France's Corporate Duty of Vigilance law to climate change. The ruling, brought by NGOs including Notre Affaire à Tous, gives the company six months to comply and sets a precedent for corporate accountability for scope 3 emissions. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for January 2027.

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France seizes shadow fleet tanker near Sicily

France seized the tanker 'Deliver' near Sicily on June 25, 2025, as part of Western efforts to crack down on Russia's shadow fleet, which is used to circumvent oil sanctions. President Macron announced the operation, stating Europe is determined to enforce sanctions and increase the cost of Russia's war against Ukraine. The seizure followed a similar UK operation and coincided with a Franco-German parliamentary initiative calling for stricter action against the shadow fleet, including increased inspections, detention of violating vessels, and diplomatic pressure on flag states.

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France seized the tanker 'Deliver' near Sicily on June 25, 2025, as part of Western efforts to crack down on Russia's shadow fleet, which is used to circumvent oil sanctions. President Macron announced the operation, stating Europe is determined to enforce sanctions and increase the cost of Russia's war against Ukraine. The seizure followed a similar UK operation and coincided with a Franco-German parliamentary initiative calling for stricter action against the shadow fleet, including increased inspections, detention of violating vessels, and diplomatic pressure on flag states.

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France and Italy block EU plan to ban Russian war veterans from Schengen area

France and Italy are blocking a proposed EU ban on Russian war veterans entering the Schengen area, fearing it could lead to a blanket prohibition on all Russian citizens. The ban is part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia, which also faces disputes over oil price caps, LNG tanker rules, and fish imports. The disagreement highlights internal EU divisions over how to tighten sanctions while avoiding broad restrictions that could affect ordinary Russians.

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France and Italy are blocking a proposed EU ban on Russian war veterans entering the Schengen area, fearing it could lead to a blanket prohibition on all Russian citizens. The ban is part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia, which also faces disputes over oil price caps, LNG tanker rules, and fish imports. The disagreement highlights internal EU divisions over how to tighten sanctions while avoiding broad restrictions that could affect ordinary Russians.

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France and Italy propose multinational coalition to replace UNIFIL in Lebanon

Background: UNIFIL's mandate is set to expire by December 2026 under UN Security Council Resolution 2790, with the UN preparing withdrawal options. Today: French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a joint initiative to establish a multinational coalition to succeed UNIFIL after its mandate expires at the end of 2026. The coalition, coordinated with the EU and UN, aims to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and strengthen its armed forces. Macron warned that disengagement measures would begin in August if no action is taken. The leaders also discussed convening an international conference on Lebanon to support the transition.

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Background: UNIFIL's mandate is set to expire by December 2026 under UN Security Council Resolution 2790, with the UN preparing withdrawal options. Today: French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a joint initiative to establish a multinational coalition to succeed UNIFIL after its mandate expires at the end of 2026. The coalition, coordinated with the EU and UN, aims to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and strengthen its armed forces. Macron warned that disengagement measures would begin in August if no action is taken. The leaders also discussed convening an international conference on Lebanon to support the transition.

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Bruno Le Maire proposes federation of six EU nations with constitution and new capital

Former French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, in an interview with Le Figaro, proposed creating a federation of six EU member states—France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands—with its own constitution and a new capital. He argued this would strengthen Europe amid US unreliability and Iranian nuclear threats. The proposal reflects growing frustration with US policy and internal EU dynamics.

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Former French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, in an interview with Le Figaro, proposed creating a federation of six EU member states—France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands—with its own constitution and a new capital. He argued this would strengthen Europe amid US unreliability and Iranian nuclear threats. The proposal reflects growing frustration with US policy and internal EU dynamics.

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French Assembly Debates Bill to Ban Marriages with Irregular Migrants

The French National Assembly, during a parliamentary day reserved for the UDR group allied with the National Rally, debated a bill to ban marriages with foreigners in irregular immigration status. The proposal, coordinated with the RN, also includes measures to limit family reunification and combat squatting. The UDR aims to attract center-right LR voters.

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The French National Assembly, during a parliamentary day reserved for the UDR group allied with the National Rally, debated a bill to ban marriages with foreigners in irregular immigration status. The proposal, coordinated with the RN, also includes measures to limit family reunification and combat squatting. The UDR aims to attract center-right LR voters.

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Naval Group Delivers Fourth Barracuda-Class Nuclear Submarine to French Navy

Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, De Grasse (S636), to the French defense procurement agency and French Navy on June 24, 2026. The submarine completed sea trials in four months, benefiting from lessons learned from the first three boats. It features an upgraded combat management system and new electronic warfare suite. Two more submarines (Rubis and Casabianca) are under construction for delivery by the end of the decade.

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Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, De Grasse (S636), to the French defense procurement agency and French Navy on June 24, 2026. The submarine completed sea trials in four months, benefiting from lessons learned from the first three boats. It features an upgraded combat management system and new electronic warfare suite. Two more submarines (Rubis and Casabianca) are under construction for delivery by the end of the decade.

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Council of Europe Urges France to Strengthen Child Protection Against Human Trafficking

The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published its fourth evaluation report on France, urging stronger child protection measures against human trafficking. While acknowledging progress, the report highlights persistent vulnerabilities due to a crisis in the child protection system, the growing role of the internet in trafficking, and difficulties victims face in obtaining compensation. The report notes a rise in trafficking victims from 1,811 in 2021 to 2,127 in 2024. GRETA praised France's third national action plan (2024-2027) but called for a national victim identification mechanism, better support for children, improved access to justice and compensation, and more effective digital investigations.

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The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published its fourth evaluation report on France, urging stronger child protection measures against human trafficking. While acknowledging progress, the report highlights persistent vulnerabilities due to a crisis in the child protection system, the growing role of the internet in trafficking, and difficulties victims face in obtaining compensation. The report notes a rise in trafficking victims from 1,811 in 2021 to 2,127 in 2024. GRETA praised France's third national action plan (2024-2027) but called for a national victim identification mechanism, better support for children, improved access to justice and compensation, and more effective digital investigations.

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French campaign finance commission proposes ban on foreign individual loans to political parties

The president of France's National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP), Christian Charpy, called for a legal ban on loans to political parties from foreign individuals not residing in France, citing concerns over foreign interference. The measure would affect about 50 large lenders, often from neighboring countries like Belgium and Switzerland, and particularly impact parties with difficulty accessing banks, such as the National Rally. Charpy also called for clarifying the definition of "habitual lender" and for the ability to verify the origin of funds to prevent the use of nominees.

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The president of France's National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP), Christian Charpy, called for a legal ban on loans to political parties from foreign individuals not residing in France, citing concerns over foreign interference. The measure would affect about 50 large lenders, often from neighboring countries like Belgium and Switzerland, and particularly impact parties with difficulty accessing banks, such as the National Rally. Charpy also called for clarifying the definition of "habitual lender" and for the ability to verify the origin of funds to prevent the use of nominees.

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Switzerland opens negotiations with France, Israel, and South Korea for second air defense system

Switzerland is actively negotiating with France, Israel, and South Korea to acquire a second long-range air defense system, following delays in Patriot deliveries from the United States. The Swiss Federal Council has resumed Patriot payments but continues to seek an alternative supplier to reduce dependency. The German IRIS-T SLX has been ruled out. The new system is intended to provide comparable protection to the Patriot and be available before 2030.

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Switzerland is actively negotiating with France, Israel, and South Korea to acquire a second long-range air defense system, following delays in Patriot deliveries from the United States. The Swiss Federal Council has resumed Patriot payments but continues to seek an alternative supplier to reduce dependency. The German IRIS-T SLX has been ruled out. The new system is intended to provide comparable protection to the Patriot and be available before 2030.

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China refuses to sign Mombasa Declaration as 15 countries commit to combat illegal fishing off Africa

At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, 15 countries signed the Mombasa Declaration to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by modernizing vessel registries, improving monitoring, and sharing data with the UN FAO. Signatories included The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Chile, Belgium, Dominican Republic, France (via its overseas territories), Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and South Korea. China, the operator of the largest fishing fleet off Africa, notably refused to sign. Senegal also withdrew its support at the last moment. The declaration aims to increase transparency and track the 'dark fleet' of vessels that hide their locations. Illegal fishing costs the global economy up to $50 billion annually and deprives coastal communities, especially in West Africa, of vital income and protein.

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At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, 15 countries signed the Mombasa Declaration to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by modernizing vessel registries, improving monitoring, and sharing data with the UN FAO. Signatories included The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Chile, Belgium, Dominican Republic, France (via its overseas territories), Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and South Korea. China, the operator of the largest fishing fleet off Africa, notably refused to sign. Senegal also withdrew its support at the last moment. The declaration aims to increase transparency and track the 'dark fleet' of vessels that hide their locations. Illegal fishing costs the global economy up to $50 billion annually and deprives coastal communities, especially in West Africa, of vital income and protein.

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French Navy to test MBDA-Novadem Akeron RCX 50 loitering munition

The French Navy will test the Akeron RCX 50 loitering munition developed by MBDA and Novadem under a DGA contract. The lightweight (2 kg), 10 km-range munition offers reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities. The Navy has previously tested other loitering munitions and used a Damoclès MX-10 operationally in the Red Sea.

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The French Navy will test the Akeron RCX 50 loitering munition developed by MBDA and Novadem under a DGA contract. The lightweight (2 kg), 10 km-range munition offers reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities. The Navy has previously tested other loitering munitions and used a Damoclès MX-10 operationally in the Red Sea.