French President Emmanuel Macron grapples with a political crisis after Lecornu resigned as prime minister a day after forming his government.

The debate around pensions has been at the center of French politics since President Emmanuel Macron pushed through a 2023 reform that raised the minimum retirement age for most workers to 64, despite widespread opposition from both the public and unions, which unanimously opposed the move.

This video explores the global debate over Palestinian statehood as France and the United Kingdom formally recognize Palestine, seeking a two-state solution amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer articulate humanitarian and political imperatives behind their decisions,

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Europe must strengthen itself in order to defend against the "axis" of autocratic nations that are targeting liberal democracy more aggressively than at any time since the Cold War.

But Macron too, speaking after Merz, echoed parts of the chancellor’s message, arguing that Europe is undergoing a “degeneration of democracy” due to attacks on various fronts — including from within.