François Bayrou devant le Medef jeudi, nouvelle occasion de plaider pour son budget

François Bayrou, désormais prêt “à toutes les négociations nécessaires” sur le budget s’il remporte son pari d’un vote de confiance à l’Assemblée nationale, trouvera jeudi, devant le Medef, une quatrième occasion en quatre jours d’évoquer publiquement la question budgétaire.Le Premier ministre interviendra à 14H30 devant la Rencontre des entrepreneurs de France (REF), qui se tient pour la première fois à Roland Garros avec un slogan qui résonne avec l’actualité : “Jeu décisif”.M. Bayrou, qui a présenté le 15 juillet les grandes lignes d’un effort budgétaire de 44 milliards d’euros en 2026, s’attirant la désapprobation des oppositions avec des idées comme la suppression de deux jours fériés, a surpris tout le monde lundi en annonçant qu’il se soumettrait à un vote de confiance à l’Assemblée nationale le 8 septembre.Les oppositions ayant annoncé qu’elles voteraient contre, M. Bayrou a affirmé mercredi sur TF1 qu’il recevrait les responsables de partis et de groupes parlementaires à partir de lundi pour “examiner les choses avec eux”, avec pour “condition préalable de s’entendre sur l’importance de l’effort” à réaliser.Mardi et jeudi, ce sont les partenaires sociaux auxquels le Premier ministre a rendu ou rendra visite, alors que le dialogue social est plutôt apaisé dans le pays, malgré l’échec récent du conclave sur les retraites.”Depuis nous avons conclu deux accords”, a noté mercredi le président du Medef Patrick Martin, soulignant “notre attachement à tous, syndicats et patronat, à un dialogue social fécond, et respecté par l’État”.La cheffe de file de la CFDT Marylise Léon est cependant favorable à faire contribuer davantage les plus riches, alors que Patrick Martin estime que, “quelle qu’en soit la forme, un retour de l’ISF serait ravageur pour notre économie, et nous nous y opposerons”.A quatre jours de commencer à recevoir les chefs de partis à Matignon, François Bayrou les manquera de peu, jeudi à la REF. En effet, évènement-phare de cette REF, la table ronde de clôture réunira, une heure après la fin d’intervention du Premier ministre, l’ensemble des chefs de partis pour un débat sur l’avenir économique du pays.Il y aura Bruno Retailleau (LR), Jordan Bardella (RN), Gabriel Attal (Renaissance), Fabien Roussel (PCF), Manuel Bompard (LFI) et Marine Tondelier (Ecologistes).Seront néanmoins absents, pour des raisons d’agenda, Edouard Philippe (Horizons) et Olivier Faure pour le PS.

UN Security Council to decide fate of peacekeeper mandate in Lebanon

The UN Security Council is set to vote Thursday on the future of the blue helmet peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, which has faced US and Israeli opposition.Some 10,800 peacekeepers have been acting as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. But the usual renewal of their mandate, which expires Sunday, is facing hostility this year from Israel and its American ally, who want them to leave.The Council is debating a French-drafted compromise that would keep the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in place until the end of next year while it prepares to withdraw.France, which oversees the issue at the Security Council and has the support of Beirut, had initially considered a one-year extension and referred simply to an “intention” to work towards a withdrawal of UNIFIL.But faced with a possible US veto, and following several proposals and a Monday postponement of the vote, the latest draft resolution seen by AFP unequivocally schedules the end of the mission in 16 months.The Council “decides to extend for a final time the mandate of UNIFIL as set out by resolution 1701 (2006) until 31 December 2026 and to start an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal from 31 December 2026 and within one year,” the text says.At that point the Lebanese army will be solely responsible for ensuring security in the country’s south.With US envoy Tom Barrack saying Tuesday that Washington would approve a one-year extension, it remained unclear what the US position would be come Thursday.Under a truce that ended a recent war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, Beirut’s army has been deploying in south Lebanon and dismantling the militant group’s infrastructure there. As part of the ceasefire, and under pressure from Washington, the plan is for Hezbollah’s withdrawal to be complete by the end of the year.Last week Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for the UN peacekeepers to remain, arguing that any curtailment of UNIFIL’s mandate “will negatively impact the situation in the south, which still suffers from Israeli occupation.”The latest draft resolution also “calls on the Government of Israel to withdraw its forces north of the Blue Line” — the UN-established demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel — “including from the five positions held in Lebanese territory.”

Rising star of the left in NY tests water for divided Democrats

A young, Muslim self-proclaimed socialist who has established himself as one of Donald Trump’s fiercest critics, fixing himself firmly in the president’s crosshairs, is on track to become New York mayor.In mere months, Zohran Mamdani has become a star of the US left as he has mounted an unprecedentedly socialist-inspired campaign to take the big chair in the Big Apple.Following his surprise June win in a Democratic primary, the 33-year-old has held a lead over his main rival in nine out of 11 polls — with an advantage of between three and 28 points.His leading opponents are the independent Andrew Cuomo, 67, the ex-New York governor who retreated from politics when he was engulfed by sexual assault claims, and current mayor Eric Adams, 64, who is mired in corruption scandals. New York’s mayoral election on November 4 is “a political litmus test of sorts for the Democratic Party that is working to regain its footing after the 2024 election,” said pollster Mary Snow.The party has been left bloodied, divided and directionless after its defeat at Trump’s hands last year.In the staunchly Democratic megacity where inequality is rampant and life is unaffordable for many, Mamdani has zeroed in on the high cost of living promising regulated rents, free bus travel and daycare to cement his appeal.”If NYC wants to remain the interesting, inspiring and dynamic city of lore that is beloved by the world, we need to at least try policies that combat the inequality, comically absurd cost of living, housing and basic services here,” said Mamdani superfan Sandy Dalal, a designer and Brooklyn-based business owner.- Eye on presidential race -The young state lawmaker has run a strong ground campaign, with his supporters going door-to-door while also staying hyperactive on social media.”He talks about feminism, he talks about politics (but) he talks about the price of the halal food carts… even if you’re not Muslim, everyone eats from those carts because they’re everywhere,” said political pundit Lincoln Mitchell.Mamdani “really seems real in a way that Cuomo just seems like he’s coming from another era.”While the Democratic Party, and those on the right of it like Cuomo, are accused of going soft on Trump, Mamdani has not.Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, has slammed Trump for victimizing the weakest in society — the poor and migrants.”What the voters want is not just the kind of ‘left-of-center’ economic redistributive policies… but somebody who is unequivocal in standing up to Trump,” said Mitchell.Republicans have come out swinging against what they call the “nut job” and “communist,” with Trump threatening to cut off federal funds to the city if he wins.The other Democrats challenging Mamdani deride him too, with Adams accusing him of “false promises” and insisting he is “competing against him because this is not a socialist city.”Cuomo has repeatedly attacked Mamdani for occupying a coveted rent-controlled apartment with increases regulated by the city, saying his legislative salary means he could move.But their attacks have done little to bloody the rising star of the left.”Mamdani’s ability to connect with voters and his focus on affordability, for one, has resonated with voters,” said Snow. “It would not be surprising if Democrats took a page from Mamdani’s campaign playbook as they look toward the midterm elections — and the next presidential race.”

Qantas says profits up, strong travel demand ahead

Qantas Airways said Thursday it lifted annual net profit and saw a bright outlook for travel demand, days after it was fined for illegally firing staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.Australia’s dominant airline group said rising passenger numbers boosted its financial performance, and it saw further revenue growth in the six months ahead for Qantas and its budget subsidiary Jetstar.”While we are pleased with the progress we are making, we remain focused on further improving our performance,” chief executive Vanessa Hudson said.”Continuing strong demand across all market segments, combined with our dual brand strategy, helped the Group grow earnings,” she said in a statement.Qantas said revenue climbed 8.6 percent to Aus$23.8 billion (US$15.5 billion) in the 12 months to June 30, 2025 when compared to a year earlier.Net profit surged 28.3 percent to Aus$1.6 billion.Last week, an Australian court fined Qantas Aus$90 million for unlawfully laying off 1,800 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.The airline said Thursday it had paid the full penalty.Qantas said it expected unit revenue on domestic and international routes to rise by a few percent in the six months to December 31, 2025.The carrier said direct flights from Australia’s east coast to London and New York — its so-called Project Sunrise — were “a step closer to reality”.The long-range Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for those flights were scheduled to enter final assembly in the coming months, with delivery expected in October 2026.