A European Parliament financial report, revealed by Mediapart, accuses the group to which France's National Rally (RN) belongs of violating fundamental principles of public procurement law. Contracts awarded between 2024 and 2025 by the RN's Strasbourg group were linked to companies associated with founders of the identitarian far-right group GUD.

A Paris appeals court has ordered Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, to pay nearly €22.5 million in back taxes, reversing a 2020 ruling in his favor. The dispute involves ownership structures and tax assessments for 2010 and wealth taxes from 2012-2015. Arnault plans to appeal to the Conseil d'Etat. The case highlights ongoing tax controversies among France's wealthiest individuals.

Background: Fabien Roussel had previously ruled out supporting other left-wing candidates for the 2027 presidential election. Today: Roussel was re-elected as PCF secretary with 70.1% of the vote at the party congress in Lille, reinforcing his ambition to run for president in 2027. The decision has sparked criticism from La France Insoumise, whose leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon blamed Roussel's 2022 candidacy for his own failure to reach the runoff. Roussel defended the move, arguing that a PCF candidate helps combat abstention. Militants will vote on September 6 to choose the party's official candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The French Army's technical section (STAT) announced that the first two Engins de Bréchage Mécanique de Zone (EBMZ) will soon undergo tactical evaluation, with deliveries of 26 units expected by end of 2025. The EBMZ, based on a militarized tracked tractor with a mine-clearing plow, remote operation capability, and a specialized trailer, restores a critical combat engineering capability for high-intensity operations. The contract worth €94 million was awarded in November 2024 to Bergerat Monnoyeur and Capelle.

The French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) is pursuing multiple projects to integrate drones and loitering munitions with its helicopter fleet, including equipping the Tiger attack helicopter with Thales' Toutatis loitering munition (range 30 km, 30 min endurance) and developing the DEDAL quadcopter for beyond-visual-range Hellfire missile engagements. Other initiatives include the CAT'S AI cockpit upgrade, the NH90/Flexrotor teaming experiment, and the JANUS drone-interceptor project. These efforts aim to accelerate the 'dronisation of air combat' without replacing helicopters, enhancing operational capabilities through manned-unmanned teaming.

The French 2nd Armoured Brigade (2e BB) has officially created its Armoured Commando Group (GCB), receiving its unit fanion in a ceremony at the Citadelle de Bitche on June 29. The GCB is designed to conduct reconnaissance, intelligence, security, and extraction missions, often behind enemy lines, combining commando skills with armoured mobility to address modern conflict requirements. This formalization follows a selection and training process for operators from both the 2nd and 7th Armoured Brigades, emphasizing stress resistance, combativeness, and ruggedness. The creation reflects the French Army's adaptation to evolving threats, aiming for flexible, rapid, and effective military responses.

Bulgaria had previously threatened to veto the EU's 21st sanctions package over the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill and former Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov. In a new development, Italy has now joined Bulgaria in formally objecting to the visa ban on Kirill, citing concerns about sanctioning a Christian denomination leader. The article also details additional disputes among EU member states: Greece, Malta, and Cyprus oppose freezing the $44-per-barrel oil price cap, while France and Italy object to a proposed ban on former Russian combatants entering the EU.

The French defence procurement agency DGA has awarded a €120 million framework contract to Greenerwave to develop and produce a new generation of intelligent satellite communication terminals based on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology. The terminals will support French forces' connectivity needs, complementing the Syracuse IV and OneWeb constellations, and are designed to be compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. This contract, named 'Caméléon', covers engineering from design to production over seven years and aims to replace multiple existing systems.

The French Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), the defence procurement agency, received its official flag for the first time in a ceremony at Les Invalides on June 30, 2026, presided over by Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin. The flag symbolises the agency's military identity and its role in designing and equipping France's armed forces, marking a historic moment for the organisation created in 1961.

Boris Vallaud, leader of the French Socialist Party deputies, published a note for the Jean-Jaurès Foundation advocating for the introduction of proportional representation in parliamentary elections, calling it an institutional 'revolution'. The move aims to preempt the institutional debate in the Socialist presidential primary.

MBDA previously announced development of a land-launched cruise missile (MdCT) for European long-range strike. At Eurosatory 2026, the company unveiled the LCM Mk2, a ground-launched variant of the Naval Cruise Missile (NCM) with a range over 1,000 km, enhanced anti-jamming, improved stealth, increased range and lethality. A ground launch system will be available from 2029, deployable in under 15 minutes from unprepared positions with shoot-and-scoot capability.

PT PAL Indonesia and Naval Group announced the first steel cutting for two Scorpène Evolved submarines for the Indonesian Navy will occur in July 2026. The submarines will be built in parallel with delivery planned for 2032 and 2033. The project will create 2,250 jobs and includes technology transfer for lithium-ion batteries, SUBTICS combat system, and SM40 Exocet missiles. Indonesia joined the Scorpène Club in 2025.

Background: A severe June heatwave in France has already overwhelmed hospitals, forced event cancellations, and caused drownings and a child's death. New development: France's national health agency now reports over 1,000 excess deaths from June 24, with 85% among those aged 65 and over. Mortuaries and funeral homes are overwhelmed, with occupancy at 66% nationwide, up from the normal 30-45%; two funeral homes in central Paris have been at full capacity since Friday. At least 40 additional drownings occurred as people sought relief in waterways. Epidemiologist Antoine Flahault notes that most hospital beds lack air conditioning, which could reduce heatwave mortality by at least 40%. Experts call for long-term urban cooling measures, including increased green spaces and water features, as Europe warms at twice the global average.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) has faced internal turmoil under High Representative Kaja Kallas, with officials questioning its effectiveness and mandate. Now, France and Germany are publicly debating the future structure of the EEAS. France proposes strengthening Kallas's role by making her a first executive vice-president with authority over foreign affairs, trade, and development, while Germany has floated diluting her powers and transferring them to the European Commission. A French discussion paper outlines three models: empowering the Commission, shifting the EEAS closer to the Council, or strengthening both institutions simultaneously. Paris prefers the third option, which would give Kallas significant authority within the Commission. The debate reflects broader challenges in making EU foreign policy more effective amid global fragmentation, with EU foreign ministers set to discuss the issue in September.

Background: Iran has consistently demanded domestic control over uranium enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz as conditions for a nuclear deal with the US. Today: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's offer, announced on June 29, to cooperate with Oman on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that only Iranian forces will handle mine clearance under the Islamabad memorandum with the US. Gharibabadi warned France not to complicate the sensitive situation with provocations. The dispute comes amid fragile US-Iran de-escalation channels and an interim peace deal, with both sides seeking to keep the accord on track after recent strikes.

Background: French lawmakers had previously reached a compromise on a bill targeting ultra-fast fashion platforms like Shein and Temu, banning influencer advertising and imposing penalties. Today: The French Senate approved the bill on June 29, 2026, finalizing the legislation. The advertising ban will take effect at the turn of the year, with penalties for influencers. The law now specifically targets "ultra-express platforms" such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, excluding French and European brands, though a precise definition of criteria is still pending. Platforms must also pay a rising environmental contribution per product and display messages encouraging repair, reuse, and restrained consumption. The move follows a joint call from Germany, France, and the Netherlands for stricter EU regulations on ultra-fast fashion.