Browsing: France news

France’s controversial new culture minister, Rachida Dati on Wednesday said she plans to run for Paris mayor in 2026, only days after joining President Emmanuel Macron’s reshuffled government. Dati’s arrival was the biggest surprise in last week’s cabinet shake-up that saw 34-year-old Gabriel Attal take over as prime minister.

After a swift rise up the ranks, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal took the reins as France’s new prime minister on Tuesday. With a background steeped in privilege, the first openly gay head of government is expected to bring new energy to President Emmanuel Macron’s government, which has been weakened by months of protests over pension reform, the lack of a parliamentary majority and low approval ratings.

Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne on Friday visited the French overseas island of Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union, amid a growing water crisis. Due to a drawn-out drought compounded by years of underinvestment and water mismanagement, the island’s inhabitants have access to water only one every three days.