How the surging far-left would change France and why so many new French WWII films?
The Talking France podcast is back, exploring what France might look like under a far-left president, the latest developments on strikes and protests, and what the recent wave of WWII films tells us about the country’s current political climate.
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.
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.
We start by discussing the latest potential candidate to enter France’s 2027 presidential race: five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner. Why is he running? Why is he so popular with the French public? And, perhaps most importantly, does he even have a chance at becoming president?
Sticking with politics, this week far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) published its full manifesto in book form. We break down some of its key policies and what they could mean for foreigners living in France. We also look at its economic proposals, environmental ambitions and social policies.
More strikes and protests have been announced for November. We bring you the latest developments, as well as the government’s announcements aimed at easing tensions and addressing public anger.
You may have noticed that several French films about the Second World War have recently arrived in cinemas. Is this simply a coincidence, or does it have something to do with France’s current political climate? We take a closer look at the films and report on what two experts say about the wider significance of these releases.
Finally, we turn to trains, with a look at the unveiling and launch of France’s new high-speed TGV-M. The next generation of TGV promises a range of new features and improvements. We take a closer look at what’s new.
Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local. Listeners of Talking France can take advantage of a special half-price introductory offer to get access to all the articles on The Local France – and support the podcast at the same time.
Join now for just €29.99/year and stay with us for a crucial presidential election race which could have a huge impact on the lives of foreign residents in France.
