FRA9 FILE · France, Europe & world
France in the European Union
Institutions, currency, law and decisions: what Europe changes in France.
Institutions, currency, law and decisions: what Europe changes in France.
A founding power
France is a founding state of European integration and belongs to the euro area and Schengen. It shapes decisions through the European Council, Council of the EU, Parliament and Commission.
What is decided together
Trade, competition, farming, environment, digital policy, borders and many product standards are largely European. Budgets, direct taxation, education and welfare remain more national, although the EU influences them.
Why Strasbourg matters
The European Parliament officially sits in Strasbourg for plenary sessions. Together with the Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights, this gives the city a unique European role.
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