The French presidential election is heating up with the first round this past Sunday setting up a showdown in two weeks between French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen. Yannis Palaiologos, Kathimerini’s Brussels correspondent, joins our host Thanos Davelis with the latest analysis on France’s presidential elections, which NATO members, the EU, and the broader West are nervously watching.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Εκλογές στη Γαλλία – Άμεση ανάλυση: Η ανάσα Μακρόν και η τελική αναμέτρηση

Nerves for EU and NATO as Le Pen heads into second round clash with Macron

French election: Macron v Le Pen - two visions for presidency

Macron vs Le Pen and the West’s shortcomings

Greece speeds up gas exploration to help reduce Russia reliance

Turkey detains former Kurdish party officials for PKK links

Turkey Ramps Up Pressure on Kurdish Party With New Arrests