🇫🇷Week of September 14

Several tens of thousands of people demonstrated across France against a law granting a presumption of legitimate self-defense to police officers. In Paris, thousands of protesters denounced the legislation, with one slogan calling it 'a final spit in the face of victims' families.'12

Attributed claim: The Interior Ministry's count of more than 10,000 demonstrators nationwide contrasted with organizers' claim of nearly 50,000 participants. Le Figaro, a centre-right outlet, reported the lower figure and noted disturbances in Paris, while Orange Actualités, a centre-left outlet, cited the higher number.34

In Rennes, clashes broke out on the sidelines of the protest against what critics call a 'license to kill.' The public prosecutor's office lifted all custody measures related to the clashes.5

Three days before the protests, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez instructed prefects to be vigilant regarding gatherings against the law on the presumption of weapon use.6

France's public debt has drifted past 120 percent of GDP and the country's credit rating has been downgraded, according to Le Figaro. The head of the Cour des comptes, Amélie de Montchalin, said France is at a decisive moment and warned that each month of inaction worsens the country's financial asphyxiation. She called for action in the 2027 budget.1234

The government is studying pension deindexation and a tax deduction for retirees as part of the 2027 budget. Sébastien Lecornu launched a consultation on deindexing pensions, describing it as a participation in the recovery of public finances. The government plans to save 6 billion euros on pensions in 2027 and is examining three scenarios for deindexation, including one with three different rates.12

Challenges noted that the debt is costing the state more and more, while millions of French people escape the sharp rise in rates. The outlet's coverage focused on the contrast between the state's rising borrowing costs and the rates available to ordinary savers and borrowers.5

Regional elections in Germany delivered a dual result: the radical left party Die Linke won in Berlin, while the far-right AfD made strong gains in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The outcomes mark a new political era for Germany, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz politically weakened by the extremes' electoral successes.12345678

Attributed claim: Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he intends to stay the course despite being weakened by the electoral successes of the extremes. Le Figaro (centre-right) described Merz as the big loser of the regional elections, while Orange Actualités (centre-left) reported that he wants to hold his line.39

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the far-right AfD saw a strong progression, and Mediapart (left) reported that the far right was in the lead there. In Berlin, Die Linke emerged as the winner, with left-wing parties resisting the far-right surge.2478

The elections were described as high-risk for Chancellor Merz, and the results have led to commentary that Germany is entering a new political era. Merz remains in office but faces a changed political landscape.610

Saudi Arabia is appealing for assistance as the Middle East war escalates, with the Houthis in Yemen claiming 28 Saudi strikes over the past 24 hours. The Houthis said their attack on Riyadh was retaliation for Saudi-led bombardments in Yemen. The Saudi capital has come under Houthi fire, and fears of a rapid escalation across the region are growing.1234

The United States said it fears an escalation in the Middle East after the Houthi attack on Riyadh. President Trump returned to Washington urgently as the escalation accelerated.56

The Houthis claimed an attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia, saying it was in retaliation for Saudi-led bombardments in Yemen.23

Diesel prices in France reached a new record of nearly 2.41 euros per litre on average, with fuel prices setting new highs and outlets raising the question of whether 4 euros per litre could be reached. Growing numbers of service stations are running out of petrol or diesel, and maps of the shortages across France have been published.123

Shortages are uneven across the country: 70 percent of stations no longer have SP95 and 20 percent of points of sale have no diesel, according to a Monday update. Tools and maps let drivers check which stations near them are out of stock and how to tell whether their station faces a shortage.4567

An emergency meeting is scheduled at Matignon on Monday to discuss new aid measures in response to the fuel crisis.8

Le Monde reports that refining is the big winner from the surge in pump prices, framing the price spike as a gain for the refining sector.9