France

France's Interior Minister Claude Guéant has reportedly said the country will take steps to tighten security in all of its 58 nuclear power plants, after Greenpeace activists highlighted the system's weaknesses by infiltrating two sites last month.

France's nuclear authority has called for enhanced safety measures at the country's 58 reactors in light of last year's Fukushima disaster in Japan, though ruling out any immediate plant closure.

French nuclear giant Areva asked to be suspended from trading on Monday in the wake of press reports about its precarious financial situation. The majority state-owned firm was expected to reveal significant losses and layoffs later in the day.

The future of nuclear power in France is back in the spotlight after Greenpeace activists broke into a power plant on Monday in a bid to highlight the lack of security. The issue is set to play a key role in next year’s presidential election.

Hundreds of French anti-nuclear protesters clashed with police in Normandy on Wednesday when a train convoy was preparing to transport radioactive waste to Germany. Five activists were arrested.

Hundreds of French anti-nuclear protesters clashed with police in Normandy on Wednesday when a train convoy was preparing to transport radioactive waste to Germany. Five activists were arrested.

France needs to shore up safety mechanisms in its nuclear reactors to avoid catastrophe in the event of a natural disaster, the head of the French nuclear safety agency has said, although he does not forsee a need to close any facilities.

At least one person was killed and four others were wounded by an explosion at the nuclear waste management site of Marcoule in France's southern Languedoc region on Monday. Authorities said there was no risk of a radioactive leak.

France’s EDF energy giant has announced a further two-year delay to its next generation nuclear reactor as a result of deadly accidents earlier this year and safety reviews carried out in the wake of Japan's nuclear disaster.

Marc Perelman discusses the future of nuclear energy in Europe with Jean-Marc Gonin, Senior Writer with Le Figaro Magazine; and Philip Turle, Journalist with RFI.