Latest update: 18/01/2013 

- Algeria - François Hollande - French military - government - hostages - Mali


French intervention in Mali: can France sustain its military efforts? (Part 2)

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

Friday January 11th, French combat helicopters flew into northern Mali to stop the advance of islamist fighters who control the north of the country, and that includes the local branch of Al Qaeda. And France is now waging war in the Sahara desert, to rid Mali and the entire region of these groups. How does this impact the Hollande presidency? Will it define his political future?

POLITICS
By FRANCE 24

On the set:

  • Michael Kirtley, Journalist, National Geographic & Africa International; Independent filmmaker;
  • Gabriele Parussini, Paris Correspondent, Wall Street Journal;
  • Mark Deen, Journalist, Bloomberg News;

By Skype from London:

  • Philip Stonor, Former Deputy Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Paris;

Prepared by Cyril Vanier and Léa Berdugo

Socialist government: from bad to worse
21/03/2013 - POLITICS

Socialist government: from bad to worse

This week, we witnessed the first formal battle in the French Parliament, with the conservative UMP party putting forward a motion of no-confidence against the Socialist government. It had no chance of passing, but it allowed each camp to lay out competing arguments on how best to get the country back on its feet.
Education reform: mission impossible?
14/03/2013 - POLITICS

Education reform: mission impossible?

If you want to look for trouble in France, here is one sure recipe: become Education minister and then try to reform the school system. Many have tried and most have failed. The current minister Vincent Peillon is trying to move what one his predecessors called a 'mammoth'.
National Front: the new strategy
07/03/2013 - POLITICS

National Front: the new strategy

The far-right national front party has for years done much better in presidential elections than in local polls. But its leader Marine Le Pen is determined to make sure her party gains a solid foothold in France's towns and villages by scoring big in next year's municipal elections. Riding the coattails of her growing popularity and of the deepening economic crisis, she hopes that her anti-European message will pay off.
Unemployment: from bad to worse
28/02/2013 - POLITICS

Unemployment: from bad to worse

Promises, promises... French President François Hollande had made twin promises for this year: he would bring France's budget deficit under 3% of GDP and he would stop the unrelenting rise in unemployment by the end of the year. The deficit target has now officially been missed, and the unemployment pledge seems shakier by the day.
Family policy: the French taboo
21/02/2013 - POLITICS

Family policy: the French taboo

When it comes to efficiency, France generally pales in comparison to Germany. But if there is one thing that works better here, it is family policy. France has a much higher birth rate than its mighty neighbour, thanks to generous benefits for parents and children. But with zero economic growth and a commitment to slash debt and deficits, the government is considering reducing a number of welfare programmes, including the sacrosanct family benefits.
(1) comment

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(1) Reaction

I seem to recall that at the

by alias2012 - 19/01/2013 - 19:45

I seem to recall that at the beginning of the Azawad crisis, there was talk of France and the United States trying to convince Algeria to contribute military to a Malian intervention. Is this still on the table? Or (in light of the recent disaster of In Amenas) will they just allow their airspace to be used?

Read more
Close