The French Senate voted down a bill legalizing assisted dying for the second time, after rejecting the key article. The government can now give the final word to the National Assembly, which has passed the bill twice. Senate Republican leader Bruno Retailleau called for a referendum, saying the French people should decide. The Senate also definitively adopted a separate bill strengthening access to palliative care.

The French Senate voted down a bill legalizing assisted dying for the second time, after rejecting the key article. The government can now give the final word to the National Assembly, which has passed the bill twice. Senate Republican leader Bruno Retailleau called for a referendum, arguing that the French people should decide. The Senate also definitively adopted a separate bill strengthening access to palliative care.

Background: A suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean resulted in three deaths and several illnesses among passengers and crew, with the WHO suspecting limited human-to-human transmission of the Andes strain. The evacuation of all 122 passengers and crew from Tenerife has been completed, with repatriation flights to over 20 countries. The WHO now confirms 11 hantavirus cases globally, all among passengers or crew, with three deaths. Countries have implemented varying quarantine protocols: France placed five French nationals in isolation at Bichat Hospital, with one woman in critical condition on ECMO; the UK and Netherlands imposed strict 42-day isolation; the US adopted a relaxed approach, allowing negative-testing passengers to return home without isolation. Spanish authorities confirmed a positive case in a quarantined passenger in Madrid. French PM Lecornu called for EU-wide coordination of health protocols. The WHO warned that more cases may emerge due to the long incubation period and close contact on the ship before containment measures. A Dutch hospital quarantined 12 staff after improper handling of samples. The ship is sailing to Rotterdam for disinfection.

The French far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, has been courting foreign diplomats ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a new development, Bardella told German newspaper FAZ that he sees common ground with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on reducing bureaucracy, cutting green regulations, and tightening migration policy, while reiterating his party's proposals for national preference in welfare and a referendum to prioritize French law over EU law. This follows his earlier meetings with the German ambassador and contrasts with a defiant tone toward Berlin in a recent French interview.

The French far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, has been building diplomatic ties with foreign ambassadors ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a new development, Bardella expressed readiness to cooperate with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on reducing bureaucracy, cutting green regulations, and tightening migration policy, while reiterating his party's proposals for national preference in welfare and a referendum to prioritize French migration rules over EU law. In an interview with German newspaper FAZ, Bardella reaffirmed these positions and cited Germany's recent extension of temporary border controls as common ground.

As the 79th Cannes Film Festival opens, hundreds of French film industry figures, including actress Juliette Binoche, signed an open letter in Libération warning about far-right influence in cinema and media, targeting billionaire Vincent Bolloré, owner of Canal+. The controversy highlights tensions over Bolloré's expanding media empire and its perceived political impact.

As the 79th Cannes Film Festival opens, hundreds of French film industry figures, including actress Juliette Binoche, signed an open letter in Libération warning about far-right influence in cinema and media, specifically targeting billionaire Vincent Bolloré, owner of Canal+. The controversy highlights tensions over Bolloré's expanding media empire and its perceived political impact.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Droite Républicaine group in the French National Assembly, has declared Bruno Retailleau the legitimate candidate of Les Républicains (LR) for the 2027 presidential election after Retailleau's candidacy was approved by 74% of party members. Wauquiez announced he is stepping aside from his own presidential ambitions to prioritize unifying the right, warning that multiple right-wing candidates could prevent any from reaching the second round. He proposes first agreeing on a common platform, then holding a primary to choose a single candidate.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Droite Républicaine group in the French National Assembly, has publicly recognized Bruno Retailleau as the legitimate candidate of Les Républicains (LR) for the 2027 French presidential election, following Retailleau's candidacy validation by 74% of party members. Wauquiez announced he is setting aside his own presidential ambitions to prioritize unifying the right, warning that multiple right-wing candidates could prevent any from reaching the second round. He proposes first agreeing on a common platform, then holding a primary to select a single candidate.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that fuel tax revenues have fallen by approximately 300 million euros after a near one-third drop in consumption during the first ten days of May. This reverses earlier gains from March-April, and the government denies any 'windfall' from higher fuel prices, emphasizing that lower consumption reduces fixed tax revenues.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that fuel tax revenues have fallen by about 300 million euros due to a near one-third drop in consumption during the first ten days of May, reversing earlier gains. The government denies the existence of a 'windfall' from higher fuel prices, emphasizing that lower consumption reduces fixed tax receipts.

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Droite républicaine group in the French National Assembly, called on the government to return all additional tax revenue from rising fuel prices to motorists by reducing the fuel tax, which he claims would lower diesel prices by 10 euro cents per liter. The government has already pledged to reallocate €190 million collected in March and April to aid measures.

Laurent Wauquiez, head of the Droite républicaine group in the French National Assembly, called on the government to return the full amount of additional tax revenue generated by rising fuel prices to motorists. He proposes using these funds to reduce the fuel tax, which he says would lower diesel prices by 10 euro cents per liter. The government has already committed to reallocating €190 million collected in March and April to aid measures. On May 12, Wauquiez reiterated his demand, emphasizing the same proposal.

At the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, co-hosted by Kenya and France with over 30 African and European leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent reforms to global financial systems and greater climate justice for Africa, noting the continent's vast renewable energy potential and chronic underinvestment. He urged reforms to lower borrowing costs and expand climate financing. Kenyan President William Ruto demanded stronger African representation in global governance, including UN Security Council reform. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also called for fairer international partnerships. The summit addressed trade, climate, industrialization, and investment partnerships.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged global financial reforms and greater climate justice for Africa at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, highlighting the continent's renewable energy potential and underinvestment. Kenyan President William Ruto called for stronger African representation in global governance, while African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf demanded fairer international partnerships. The summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France, gathered over 30 African and European leaders to discuss trade, climate, industrialization, and investment.

Background: On May 5, 2026, supporters of a left-wing primary for the 2027 French presidential election held a meeting in Paris, with 1,200 attendees, including François Ruffin. Ruffin launched his campaign in Lyon on April 25. On May 12, Ruffin stated on France Inter that he wishes for a left-wing primary but will proceed with his candidacy even if no primary is held, arguing for democratic reasons and criticizing Macron's tenure. Jean-Luc Mélenchon has already announced his fourth candidacy.

Background: On May 5, 2026, supporters of a left-wing primary for the 2027 French presidential election held a meeting in Paris, with 1,200 attendees, including François Ruffin, who had launched his campaign in Lyon on April 25. On May 12, 2026, Ruffin stated on France Inter that he wishes for a left-wing primary on democratic grounds, criticizing Macron's ten-year tenure, but will proceed with his candidacy regardless. He noted that Jean-Luc Mélenchon has already announced his fourth candidacy.

General Emmanuel Naëgelen, France's newly appointed cyber defense commander, has highlighted the evolving nature of military cyber operations following the Locked Shields exercise in Estonia. France placed third in the NATO cyber defense competition, which simulated protection of critical infrastructure such as energy grids and hospitals. Naëgelen emphasized that cyber defense is no longer purely technical but increasingly strategic, reflecting a broader shift in France's approach to cyber warfare.

General Emmanuel Naëgelen, France's new cyber defense commander, discusses the evolving challenges of military cyber operations following the Locked Shields exercise in Estonia. France placed third in the NATO cyber defense competition, which simulated protection of critical infrastructure like energy grids and hospitals. The general emphasizes that cyber defense is no longer purely technical but increasingly strategic.