Upcoming Political Events and Developments in France
Marine Le Pen's Trip to Chad, Horizons Congress, and Six Nations Face-off Highlight Upcoming Events
Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National party, is scheduled to visit Chad from March 15 to March 17 to meet with President Mahamat Idriss Déby.
Le Pen previously visited Chad in 2017, where she met with Idriss Déby Itno, the late father of the current president.
This visit is seen as part of Le Pen's strategy to strengthen her political presence and express her views concerning France's relationship with Africa, highlighting her ongoing opposition to President Emmanuel Macron.
In a separate political development, the interregional congress of the Horizons party will take place in Lille on March 16. This event will include various meetings, roundtable discussions, and speeches from several prominent figures.
A key roundtable at 14:15 will feature Edouard Philippe, former Prime Minister and current presidential candidate, alongside Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin, Minister Charlotte Parmentier-Lecoq, and deputies Paul Christophe and Violette Spillebout.
Philippe is expected to address global issues, especially the situation in Ukraine and trade threats, as the agenda was adjusted due to recent international developments.
Specific proposals for France's future are anticipated to be unveiled after the municipal elections scheduled for 2026.
On the same day, European Parliament member Sarah Knafo, representing the Reconquête party, will hold a meeting in Nice.
Following a discussion with local activists, Knafo plans to gather at 11:00 a.m. in front of the statue of Joan of Arc, which has been ordered for removal by judicial authorities.
Knafo will engage with activists advocating for the statue's preservation and will field questions from the media before hosting a public meeting at 14:00.
In sports, the French national rugby team (XV de France) is set to compete against Scotland on March 15 at 21:00 at the Stade de France, as part of the ongoing Six Nations Tournament.
Following a significant victory against Ireland, the French team currently leads the tournament standings.
However, the match comes with the setback of captain Antoine Dupont being sidelined for the season due to a serious knee injury.
In technological advancements, the French start-up Robeauté has announced the successful launch of a microrobot, comparable in size to a grain of rice, designed for brain exploration.
The development, made possible by a €27 million funding round, aims to enhance surgical procedures for brain interventions.
The initial robots will assist in diagnosing brain cancers and delivering targeted therapies, with future plans to develop robots for treating other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.