THE newest episode of The National’s Our Friends in Europe tackles France’s surprise snap election following the results of the EU parliament elections.
Far-right parties rattled the traditional powers in the EU with major gains in parliamentary seats earlier this month, dealing an especially humiliating defeat to French President Emmanuel Macron.
The early legislative vote on June 30 and July 7 was triggered by Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament, in the aftermath.
Host and columnist Assa Samake-Roman (above) talks with Dr Emile Chabal from the University of Edinburgh, giving a perfect overview for French political experts and novices alike ahead of the first round of voting.
They discuss everything from the history to the current iteration of the challenging far-right party National Rally (previously National Front), whose leader Marine Le Pen looks to make the party more palatable with the French electorate and make further inroads.
The stage is set in France for an election which will be felt across Europe. This is not an episode to miss.
Listen to all episodes of Our Friends in Europe here.
