标签： Europe

On September 17, 2025, London witnessed a stark contrast in public sentiment as U.S. President Donald Trump embarked on his second state visit to Britain. While thousands of protesters marched through the capital under the banner ‘Trump Not Welcome,’ a smaller yet enthusiastic crowd gathered outside Windsor Castle to welcome the president with open arms. The visit, marked by royal pageantry including a carriage procession and a grand military parade, highlighted the polarizing nature of Trump’s presence on the global stage. Organized by the Stop Trump Coalition and supported by groups like Amnesty International and pro-Palestinian activists, the protest in London featured banners with messages such as ‘Not Wanted Here, Not Wanted Anywhere’ and ‘Trump, a big step back on the evolution of man.’ Despite the protests, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has cultivated an unlikely friendship with Trump, though public opinion remains deeply divided. A YouGov poll revealed that 45% of Britons opposed the invitation, while 30% supported it. The event also saw the arrest of four individuals who projected images of Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, a controversy that continues to shadow the president. Over 1,600 police officers were deployed to manage the peaceful protest, which drew around 5,000 participants. Meanwhile, in Windsor, a handful of Trump supporters, including former New York police officer Steven DeFranco, praised the president as a ‘beaming light’ and celebrated his policies. The turnout for this visit was comparable to Trump’s 2019 state visit but paled in comparison to his first official trip in 2018, which attracted significantly larger crowds.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu finds himself at a critical juncture as he navigates the contentious debate over a proposed 2% wealth tax on billionaires, a measure that could determine his political survival. The tax, dubbed the ‘Zucman tax’ after economist Gabriel Zucman, targets individuals with assets exceeding €100 million and has garnered overwhelming public support, with 86% of voters in favor, including 92% of President Emmanuel Macron’s party members. However, the proposal faces fierce opposition from right-wing lawmakers and business leaders, who warn it could stifle investment and trigger capital flight. Lecornu, who assumed office less than two years ago, is racing to finalize the 2026 budget by October 7, with the Socialists demanding the tax as a condition for their support. Failure to secure their backing could lead to a no-confidence motion, potentially toppling his government. The tax, which would affect approximately 1,800 households, is projected to raise up to €20 billion annually, aiding France’s efforts to reduce its budget deficit, the largest in the eurozone. Critics argue that the tax could harm innovative startups like Mistral AI, Europe’s rising star in artificial intelligence, while proponents insist it is a necessary step toward tax justice and reducing wealth inequality. The debate has reignited discussions about France’s tax burden, already the highest among OECD countries, and its implications for economic competitiveness. As Lecornu weighs the political and economic ramifications, the fate of the Zucman tax remains uncertain, with potential constitutional challenges looming.

France witnessed a massive wave of protests on Thursday as hundreds of thousands of workers, students, and pharmacists heeded the call of trade unions to demonstrate against proposed budget cuts. The interior ministry estimated that between 600,000 and 900,000 people participated in nationwide demonstrations, prompting the deployment of 80,000 police officers to maintain order. The strikes, which severely disrupted public transport and blocked roads in major cities, come just a week after Sébastien Lecornu was appointed prime minister following the collapse of François Bayrou’s government. Unions are demanding increased public spending, higher taxes on the wealthy, and the abandonment of austerity measures outlined by Bayrou’s short-lived administration. Sophie Binet, leader of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), emphasized the need for collective action to pressure the government into reversing policies perceived as favoring the rich. Meanwhile, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned of a zero-tolerance approach to unrest, with 58 arrests reported by mid-morning. The protests follow last week’s demonstrations by the Bloquons Tout movement, which also caused widespread disruption. Lecornu, facing a divided parliament and mounting public debt, has yet to renounce the cuts entirely but is engaging in talks with opposition parties to seek a compromise. France’s public debt, equivalent to nearly €50,000 per citizen, remains a pressing concern, with previous prime ministers Barnier and Bayrou also ousted over similar austerity proposals.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are preparing to present photographic and scientific evidence in a US court to refute claims that Brigitte was born male. The couple has filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has repeatedly asserted this controversial belief. Owens’ legal team has responded with a motion to dismiss the case. The Macrons’ lawyer, Tom Clare, emphasized that the allegations have been deeply distressing for Brigitte and have served as a significant distraction for the president. Clare stated that the couple is determined to disprove the claims through expert testimony and scientific evidence, though the specifics of the evidence remain undisclosed at this stage. Clare also mentioned that the Macrons possess photographs of Brigitte during her pregnancies and raising her children, which will be presented in court. Owens, a former commentator for the conservative outlet Daily Wire, has millions of social media followers and has staked her professional reputation on the allegation. The claim originated in fringe online spaces, notably through a 2021 YouTube video by French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey. Although the Macrons initially won a defamation case in France against Roy and Rey in 2024, the ruling was overturned on appeal in 2025 on freedom of expression grounds. The Macrons are appealing this decision. In July 2024, they filed a lawsuit against Owens in the US, accusing her of knowingly spreading false information. Owens’ lawyers argue that the case should not be heard in Delaware, claiming it would cause her significant financial and operational hardship. Emmanuel Macron has defended the legal action, stating it is about defending his honor and countering harmful, ideologically driven misinformation.