What’s next for France as disorder and debt plunge country into crisis?
Talking France is back with a look back at what really happened during Saturday’s protests, the country’s increasing debt and – on a lighter note – the best French food festivals.
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson, Emma Albright, and politics expert John Lichfield to discuss the latest from France as the country makes global headlines for all the wrong reasons.
You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify, Apple or the French platform Deezer or on World Radio Paris. You can download it here or listen to the full episode on the link below.
First, those October 17th events, from the peaceful marches to the violence and looting that followed as well as what our team saw and heard in Paris. We also look ahead to another protest planned for this coming Saturday, and whether tourists should consider rescheduling their trip.
Sticking with the protests, we break down some of the French slogans spotted on signs during the march, including political puns and the trends that have emerged among high school students in recent months.
We then turn to France’s financial situation, looking at the country’s growing debt and what it actually means.
With parliament struggling to agree on a budget, we look at what this means for the country’s ability to tackle its deficit, and why France’s financial situation could become a major issue in the run-up to the next presidential election.
Finally, we end on a lighter note with food festivals across France. We share the ones we’ve visited and the ones we recommend, whether you’re a fan of spices, truffles, cheese or affordable Champagne – there’s something for every taste!
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