Global Scans · France · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Discontent with political elites and country performance is driving the discourse and demand for action from the French public. With Presidential elections due in May 2017 it remains to be seen whether another political earthquake may happen in one of the EU's founding countries.

• [New] Three missions will launch on Avio's Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Space Daily
• [New] Long-haul fliers wanting flights that are more economical and environmentally friendly might be interested in the latest innovation now being tested in Toulouse, France, home to the latest development of Airbus. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Iran and France are close to agreeing on a prisoner swap and expressed hope that an exchange would happen in the coming days. Al Jazeera
• [New] France has already said it will contribute three Rafale fighter jets, and Germany has pledged four Eurofighters. BBC News
• [New] France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after the drone incursions. The Independent
• [New] While inflation dynamics and central bank policy remain important, the recent move higher in yields in Japan and France underscores the budding influence of governance risk in shaping global fixed income markets. investing.com
• [New] Should markets begin to perceive that political dysfunction is impeding necessary reforms, the risk of a sovereign credit rating downgrade becomes very real - potentially exacerbating the sell-off in France 30-Year and further spread widening. investing.com
• [New] Several Western nations, including Britain and France, have said they plan to recognise Palestine at the United Nations later this month if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Economic Times
• [New] Beginning in 2026, solar installations will be required on a significant number of buildings across the European Union, and public bodies will need to retroactively install solar on their buildings. / France Reasons to be Cheerful
• [New] France, Germany and Denmark will contribute fighter jets and other military assets to an enhanced defence of Poland against future Russian drone incursions. The Guardian
• [New] Ultimately, there will be no solution to France's financial problems without talking about - and changing - pensions. The Conversation
• [New] In France, the Infra Numerique 2040 plan has mobilized €28 billion over ten years, creating more than 120,000 jobs in data centers, networks, and public digital services. Bertrand Duperrin's Notepad
• [New] France is to phase out fossil fuels by 2040 and is issuing no new exploration permits. CIWEM
• [New] French government bond (OAT) yields are unlikely to tighten materially from here, we think, while the upside potential is still significant. investing.com
• [New] France's recognition will be important, because it means that the only European member of the Security Council in a permanent seat is now recognising Palestinian statehood. Al Jazeera
• [New] France and Germany remain committed to the Main Ground Combat System development and will intensify efforts to launch an adequately financed Research and Technology phase to ensure the availability for the armed forces of MGCS beginning 2040. elysee.fr
• [New] France and Germany will work to strengthen Ukraine's security and defence industry and promote industrial cooperation. elysee.fr
• [New] France and Germany will further coordinate on cooperation options regarding Deep Precision Strike capabilities, initiated in the framework of the ELSA initiative during last year's Franco-German Defence and Security Council. elysee.fr
• In France and the UK, the number of bankruptcies will decrease slightly after a very high level (-6% in 2025 for both countries versus -3% and -4%, respectively, in 2026), while bankruptcies in Italy will continue to increase (+4% and +3%, respectively). Allianz Trade Corporate
• Over the next five years, companies worldwide risk losing an estimated $5.2 trillion in value creation opportunities from the digital economy - almost the size of the economies of France, Italy and Spain combined - to cyber attacks. ReinsuranceNe.ws
• France is anything but unique in terms of facing a political crisis and a leadership vacuum, as Japan's PM Ishiba's resignation ahead of a key vote this week on whether to bring forward an LDP leadership vote (currently due in 2027). ADMISI
• A near-term resolution looks improbable, above all with the political fraternity across the spectrum more focused on the 2027 presidential election than tackling the many pressing problems. / France ADMISI

Last updated: 17 September 2025