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] Looking ahead, the French cost competitiveness will continue to improve compared compared to its European peers due to lower inflation. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] Germany's upcoming spending bill will drive fiscal impulse across the Euro-area, counterbalancing negative fiscal inputs from France, Italy, and Spain to a 0.2 pp increase over 2026 before dropping to -0.2 pp in 2027. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] The Future Combat Aircraft System project was launched in 2017 to replace France's Rafale jet and the Eurofighters used by Germany and Spain, to come into service around 2040. Space Daily
• [New] France will auction a new 3 Y bond alongside the reopening of two intermediate maturity lines and three inflation-linked bonds. investing.com
• [New] With current polling favoring the National Rally, today's roadmap could soon be dramatically revised, making the PPE3 less a fixed long-term plan than a temporary snapshot of French energy policy. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] Berlin would not develop its own nuclear deterrent but could theoretically carry British or French warheads. The US Sun
• [New] Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron push back against US threats to retaliate for their attempts to stem the torrent of misinformation from American-owned social media networks. CNN
• [New] The coalition of climate campaigners based its request on France's duty of vigilance law, which requires large companies to draw up plans to identify and prevent a range of risks including environmental ones or face lawsuits. Insurance Journal
• [New] France holds a significant potential to transform supersonic aviation. Precedence Research
• [New] France aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, looking to reduce building sector emissions from 45 metric tons to 30 metric tons by 2030. American Recruiters
• [New] In particular, the Future Combat Air System project involving France, Germany, and Spain could gain momentum, with its budget potentially increased to EUR 100 billion by 2030. MILMAG
• [New] French President Emmanuel Macron urged European countries to behave like a global power, arguing that Europe risks strategic irrelevance if it fails to act collectively in a world shaped by U.S. unpredictability, Russian aggression, and Chinese assertiveness. Fault Lines
• [New] France's president targets youth mental health with new digital regulations, while Elon Musk's Grok AI predicts a steep decline for XRP by 2026. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] European leaders are debating bolstering nuclear arsenals due to Russian threats and US security commitment doubts, with Germany and France discussing deterrence. ST
• [New] European nations, including the U.K. and France, have already said they will commit troops to Ukraine to guarantee its future security. PBS News
• [New] The French government's France 2030 investment plan has allocated substantial funding to advanced air mobility, including sovereign battery and propulsion development. Market Data Forecast
• [New] In 2026, Thales plans to recruit nearly 3,300 people in France, 800 in the UK, 630 in North America, 530 in Australia, 520 in the Netherlands, 450 in India, 300 in Germany, 240 in Romania, 200 in Singapore, 150 in Mexico and 140 in Poland. Human Resources Online
• [New] The relatively small nuclear arsenals of France and the United Kingdom might not be enough to face down Russia without US support. News24

Last updated: 25 February 2026