Political and economic ills are growing in bloc’s two main states as the next five-year leadership cycle starts in Brussels
Meet Charles of France. He’s been waiting his whole life for his nation to reinstate the monarchy
Mutually hostile political parties appear in no mood for a compromise to dig the president out of his hole
Macron’s attempt to micromanage government formation is misguided
French president to redouble efforts to assemble a coalition of moderate politicians
Leftwing bloc insists on Lucie Castets but president is concerned she does not command parliamentary majority
Gabriel Attal admits budgetary proposals will probably be changed by new government
A populace pummelled by political chaos has learnt to celebrate sporting success
They may not agree on a government but the French are joyfully backing the Games
Parliamentary manoeuvres aimed at denying influence to extremist parties risk causing a backlash in the future
Minister says methods used to disrupt rail match leftists’ modus operandi, as separate incident hits telecoms lines
High-speed lines shut on Friday are set to operate a full service tomorrow, while officials continue to investigate attack
Targeted attacks hit strategic rail junctions, raising concerns about a range of threats ahead of opening ceremony
Also in this newsletter: some advice from Norway’s prime minister to the UK
We’ve got a rare opportunity to compare the UK, US and French systems. What have we learnt?
President says political stability is needed to avoid ‘disorder’ during Games
Long eclipsed by the Élysée, the assembly that spawned the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’ now holds the key to policymaking
Her attempts to give the French capital a green makeover have made her unpopular but unrepentant
Re-election of Yaël Braun-Pivet as assembly president increases chances of a centrist government
Stalemate threatens to delay progress in shrinking deficits, which remain well in excess of EU rules
Hung parliament and quarrels among allies have brought back traumatic memories of government instability
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise pauses talks after failing to agree candidate for prime minister
Eurozone’s second-largest economy is ‘dangerously exposed’ to new crisis after failing to control deficits and debt
Rate-setters warn lax fiscal policy could revive inflation and complicate efforts to lower borrowing costs
Les extrémistes et les nationalistes se sont renforcés, même si la barrière électorale érigée par leurs rivaux les a empêchés d’obtenir une majorité