Hard-left leader sees win in French vote, himself as new PM
Leftist parties that had nearly disappeared from the French political landscape have grown wings in the runup to Sunday’s legislative elections and now threaten to weaken President Emmanuel Macron and his hopes of slam-dunking his agenda through parliament.
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French government defends fresh measures against virus surge
French Prime Minister Jean Castex takes part to a debate of the new Covid-19 measures at the National Assembly in Paris, Thursday, April 1, 2021. French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced a three week nationwide school closure and a month-long domestic travel ban as the rapid lisped of the virus ramps up pressure on hospitals. Dismissing the measures as half-baked, he urged President Emmanuel Macron to increase vaccine supplies and adopt a more effective vaccine strategy. Some headteachers welcomed the plans, saying the virus had put too many strains on staffing. The French government has announced there will be help for the poorest families to cope financially, amid high or impossible childcare costs.