Far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Tuesday warned France's new government its days are numbered as she predicted an early election that could give her a shot at power.
After a turbulent year, ministers in France's fourth government of 2024 assumed power on Tuesday with a vow to steady the financial ship and address bread-and-butter domestic issues. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said he plans to go after drug traffickers and "Islamic separatism" in his new role.
Lacking a majority in the National Assembly, the government led by veteran centrist Francois Bayrou takes office with no clear path to resolving a political stalemate. Ms Le Pen's National Rally party used a no-confidence vote to bring down Mr Bayrou's predecessor, Michel Barnier, who had proposed €60 billion ($62.4 billion) in budget cuts.
In a message on Tuesday, Ms Le Pen said France's "moment of temporary political fluctuation ... will come to an end as soon as the people, through their sovereign will and collective intelligence, decide to do so". She said the French would then "choose a new path to follow, that of revival and recovery".
She said that moment would come "as soon as the institutions allow it ... very soon, in a few months at most". After defeats by ever narrower margins in the 2012, 2017 and 2022 elections, Ms Le Pen is viewed as having her best shot at the Elysee Palace when France next elects a president.
Mr Bayrou consulted Ms Le Pen when forming his government but there is no certainty he will avoid a no-confidence vote himself. Finance Minister Eric Lombard is expected to scale back some of the proposed budget cuts but made clear on Tuesday that he, too, sees cutting the deficit as a priority.
"The political situation is difficult,” said Mr Lombard. "The international situation is dangerous and the economic context is fragile. The environmental emergency, the social emergency, developing our businesses – these innumerable challenges require us to treat our endemic illness, the deficit."
Deadlock has prevailed since French President Emmanuel Macron called a surprise parliamentary election in July, a gamble which failed to pay off as voters elected a National Assembly fractured between left, right and centrist camps. Left-wing groups had hoped for more influence in the new Cabinet and say the promised spending cuts will hurt French workers.
Mr Macron's term runs until 2027 but some analysts believe Ms Le Pen wants to force him to resign quickly and trigger a snap presidential election. One consideration could be a looming court verdict in a corruption case against Ms Le Pen, in which prosecutors are seeking a five-year ban from public office – which she might avoid with presidential immunity.
Ms Le Pen wants a tougher immigration policy from the new government but Mr Bayrou indicated he will focus on implementing existing rules. "There are plenty of laws that exist. None are being applied," he told broadcasters on Monday, to criticism from conservatives.
At the justice ministry, Mr Darmanin said he would give "clear and firm" instructions to prosecutors to take on violent criminals and extremists. His targets include "Islamic separatism and types of violent extremism who want to attack our democracy and our republic", as well as drug trafficking and what he called "narco-banditry".
Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu wants to step up France's weapons production as Europe braces for the return of Donald Trump. Mr Macron also wants an emergency law passed early next month to speed up reconstruction of the cyclone-ravaged French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
More on Quran memorisation:
MORE ON INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
