Global Scans · France · Weekly Summary

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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] Barring any delays, France is on track to begin a complete medical cannabis program in 2026, a significant shift for a country with historically strict drug laws. Better Tomorrow Consulting
• [New] Uniquely, France will treat medical cannabis strictly like a pharmaceutical product: only licensed pharmacy operators can supply it, and smokable flower will be limited to sealed vape cartridges. Better Tomorrow Consulting
• [New] The High Health Authority has mapped out how doctors will prescribe cannabis-based medicines for severe conditions (like refractory epilepsy, cancer pain, MS spasticity) as a last resort. / France Better Tomorrow Consulting
• [New] France is finalizing plans to integrate medical cannabis into its national health system by early 2026. Better Tomorrow Consulting
• [New] Air France has already begun deploying free, high-speed Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on select aircraft, with plans to reach full-fleet coverage by 2026. TravelPirates
• [New] Solvay, which produces rare-earth concentrates and separated products at its La Rochelle, France, facility, will supply samarium to Permag and Less Common Metals. Strategic Metals Invest
• [New] France will provide independent nuclear deterrence, readiness for expeditionary operations, air strike capabilities, and medium-range air defence. Transatlantic Dialogue Center
• [New] France will provide Ukraine with additional Mirage 2000-5 F fighter jets and Aster air defence missiles in the coming days. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] The French government is investing public finances through an unprecedented use of the Barnier fund, used to financially support French citizens whose houses are threatened by the climate crisis by repurchasing their homes. The Guardian
• [New] The not-for-profit membership organization warned additional red tape risks driving investment toward competitor destinations such as Ireland, France or Spain. Free Press Series
• [New] France's industrial modernization efforts, supported by the France 2030 investment plan, include EUR 54 billion for technology and innovation. Emergen Research
• [New] Mexico City will have a direct flight to Barcelona, Spain, and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, will have a direct flight to Paris, France, eliminating the need for layovers in Mexico City or Madrid. Mexico News Daily
• [New] By the end of 2025, Copilot prompts and responses will be processed within Germany, France, Norway and the Netherlands for qualifying customers. Campus Technology
• [New] France will auction 10-Year and 17 Y OATs with a 24 Y green OAT for €11bn. investing.com
• [New] Struggling French payment firm Worldline plans to raise €500 million in fresh equity to support a turnaround programme aimed at restoring cash flow generation. FinExtra
• [New] Europe is not far behind, with ProLogium planning a gigafactory in France by 2028 for all-solid-state batteries, as per InsideEVs. WebProNews
• [New] France's forces will not enter Gaza but will assist from Israel's territory, adding that Paris and Washington are working at the UN in New York to secure a mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza. JVP Health Advisory Council
• [New] France is dispatching a joint civilian-military team with the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center to plan Gaza's post-war phase. JVP Health Advisory Council
• [New] The system, procured by the EuroHPC JU under the EuroQCS-France consortium, is the most powerful photonic quantum computer deployed in a European computing center and will be coupled to the Joliot-Curie supercomputer to enable hybrid HPC-quantum workflows. Quantum Computing Report
• [New] If France falls-if the Rassemblement National (RN) party wins the 2027 presidential election-pressure on the EU is likely to intensify significantly. Internationale Politik Quarterly
• [New] The UK, France and Germany created a payment system allowing for trade of certain products, such as pharmaceuticals and agri-food goods, in light of the potential for EU companies to breach US sanctions. Mishcon de Reya LLP
• [New] By leveraging advanced monitoring technologies and enhancing rapid response capabilities, France seeks not only to detect and deter hybrid and evolving underwater threats but also to project a credible counterforce when necessary. International Defense Security & Technology

Last updated: 19 November 2025