A recent Ipsos poll reveals that a significant majority of French citizens, 77%, are against the development of shale gas in the upcoming years, with only 23% in favor. The poll, commissioned by the environmental organization WWF, indicates a broad agreement on this stance across various political affiliations in France. The findings come at a critical time, just five months before France's presidential election, suggesting that fracking and shale gas development could be key environmental issues in the upcoming political debates.

Alain Juppé, the former French Prime Minister and a political rival of Nicolas Sarkozy, has expressed support for shale gas explorations in France. Speaking in Montreal, Canada, on April 29, Juppé advocated for the establishment of an experimental center to explore shale gas resources under strict environmental controls. He emphasized the need for France to understand the implications of shale gas extraction and to select environmentally acceptable techniques. Juppé also mentioned his support for an energy mix policy that includes nuclear and clean energies, while criticizing 'fundamentalist environmentalists'. His comments come as he prepares to campaign for the upcoming presidential election, with fundraising efforts extending to the United States and Canada.

The French Senate rejected a motion by the UMP party that sought to overturn an existing anti-fracking law, which was originally passed under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. The motion, presented on February 18th, aimed to allow underground explorations to identify potential shale gas resources in France. The rejection of this amendment by the upper chamber of French Congress signifies a political stance that maintains the current ban on hydraulic fracturing, despite the UMP's previous support for such explorations. This decision comes two years before the next presidential election, raising questions about its implications on future energy policies and political dynamics in France.

Maud Fontenoy, a former sailor who has recently joined the French right-wing party Les Républicains, has expressed her support for shale gas drilling explorations in an interview on BFMTV. Despite the common opposition from green activists against such explorations due to environmental concerns, Fontenoy emphasizes the importance of conducting research. Her stance represents a controversial position within environmental policy debates, as it aligns with a party that is not traditionally associated with environmentalism. Fontenoy's role in Les Républicains is to represent and address issues related to the environment.

The article discusses a new bipartisan congressional report that emphasizes the economic and strategic advantages of the Energy Revolution in the United States. It specifically mentions Christian Bataille, a member of the French Socialist Party and the National Assembly, who is an advocate for shale gas despite the general opposition within his party. Bataille represents a district in Northern France that has been affected by deindustrialization and high unemployment. The report he co-authored suggests that the United States has benefited from the Energy Revolution, and it implies that France could also gain from embracing similar energy strategies.

The article discusses a report commissioned by the French government, which was later suppressed, highlighting the economic benefits of shale gas exploration using methods other than controversial fracking, without causing environmental harm. The Figaro, a conservative French daily, revealed this information, suggesting that President François Hollande may be prioritizing his re-election and political alliances over job creation. The article also touches upon the return of Arnaud Montebourg, a former Economic Minister known for his outspoken nature, who has recently joined Habitat, a household furnishings retailer. Montebourg's last appearance in the news was due to an accident in a New York City restaurant, but now he is back in the news for his role in commissioning the buried report in 2012.