Talking France

We're in the midst of a pretty major political crisis here in France with snap elections coming up so needless to say we have plenty to talk about in this week's episode.

Firstly we bring you right up to date with all the drama, the dodgy deals and shaky alliances, the infighting and betrayals and the pleas for French people to get out and vote.

Our French politics wizard John Lichfield will explain why this election could be more calamitous than Brexit for France and the EU and look at what Emmanuel Macron could do if it all goes wrong for him.

We also look at what exactly a prime minister in France does and what power they have. Plus we try to decipher what it could mean for foreigners in France if that prime minister ends up being a far right one.

And away from French politics we look at the famous sites that authorities warn will be overcrowded this summer and what you can do to avoid them and we also bust the myth about whether France really has a 60 percent inheritance tax rate.

Host Ben McPartland is joined in Paris by The Local's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.

Related articles

• What a far-right prime minister could mean for foreigners in France
• French election breakdown: Party alliances and the Ciotti soap opera
• What does a French Prime Minister actually do?
• The 10 French tourist spots most likely to be overcrowded this summer
• Mythbuster: Does France really have a 60 percent inheritance tax rate?
• OPINION: Macron's election gamble is an invitation to calamity

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Welcome to a special episode of The Local's Talking France podcast in which we take a look at the (latest) political crisis in France following the EU election results.

On Sunday night, as the European election results were drifting in French President Emmanuel Macron took everyone by surprise by announcing he was dissolving the French parliament - the Assemblé Nationale - and that new elections would be held in just three weeks time. 

Yep pretty dramatic stuff, which is why we are recording a special politics focussed episode of Talking France this week.

I'm Ben McPartland and joining me to answer the questions of why's Macron done this, what happens next and what are the chances of France ending up with a far right prime minister will be The Local's team Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Related reading:

• What happens next as France heads for snap elections?
• Who can vote in France’s snap parliamentary elections?
• OPINION: Macron’s election gamble is an invitation to calamity
• Explained: What happens when French leaders are forced into ‘cohabitation’?

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The talking points from France this week... in no particular order are - Russian meddling in French affairs. Yes France has accused Russia of being involved in a string of recent incidents from fake coffins left at the Eiffel Tower to bedbug invasion rumours. Why would Moscow do this and is it working?

We also find about why the commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday are even more significant this year, why you could be fined in France just for washing your car and we explain why you are likely to be scolded in public by a French person.

And big border changes are coming that will likely affect you so we explain what difference it's all going to make to your journey in and out of France, whether it's by plane, train, automobile or ferry.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team from The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Related reading:

• What to expect for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France
• ANALYSIS: How serious is Russian interference and disinformation in France?
• Travel to France: What does EES mean for cross-Channel ferry trips?
• What will EES mean for travel on 'Le Shuttle' through the Channel Tunnel?
• The 22 things that are likely to get you a scolding in France
• Why washing your car in France can lead to a €450 fine

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On the bill this week we have the European elections. We answer the important questions: Why should we care, how will they affect France and what will they mean for the future? As well as explaining a little bit about the European parliament.

We also look at how new laws aimed at averting dangerous wildfires in France will affect home owners plus explain why hundreds of thousands of home addresses in rural France are changing and what this means for you.

We also find out which politicians are the best to call on in France to get support for any local dispute.

And we explain why some tourists suffer from panic attacks, delusional thinking and hallucinations when they visit Paris. And if there's anything they can do to avoid it.

Ben McPartland your host is joined by The Local's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Related articles:

• Reader question: Can I approach my French MP for help with a local problem?
• European elections: What are the 'têtes des liste' in France?
• What is Paris syndrome and are some nationalities more susceptible?
• Wildfires in France: What are the new legal requirements for property owners?
• The one French website you need if you've changed your address
• What do I do next if my French street name has been changed

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This week we find out why so many workers are going on strike in Paris at the moment. From waste collectors to firefighters - what do they all want, and what's the Olympics got to do with it?

We also explain the crisis in France's overseas territory of New Caledonia, why the president has deemed it necessary to fly there and why France has such a complicated relationship with several far flung parts of the world.

And French star footballer Kylian MBappé has said goodbye to Paris and to France, so we'll explain why everyone, including the mayor and the president, is so upset. 

And in response to a great listener's question we'll try to explain what classic French values are and why you might need to know them - especially if you want to become French.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by Emma Pearson the local France's editor and we also hear from John Lichfield our politics expert.

Further reading:

• How likely is strike chaos during the Paris Olympics?
• EXPLAINED: What's behind the violence on the French island of New Caledonia?
• 'Confetti of an empire': Understanding France's troubled overseas territories
• EXPLAINED: What are real 'French values'?
• What are the most overrated tourist attractions in France?
• Beat the crowds - 19 alternative places to visit in France

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This week on Talking France we explore more of the big issues in France such as... who'll actually need a special QR security code during the Paris Olympics, why male motorists in France are being urged to drive like women and why the future is uncertain for Normandy's famous D-Day beaches as the 80th anniversary of the landings approaches.

And is France doomed or is it booming? With the French government bragging about record foreign investment we try and work out whether the country’s economy really is in a healthy condition.

And on the subject of health, why is getting blood tests in France such a confusing process? 

To help answer these questions will be The Local France's special intelligence unit of Emma "the editor" Pearson, Gen, the journalist Mansfield and John the politics, economy and Normandy beaches expert, Lichfield. They'll join host Ben McPartland.

Further reading

• Who will need a QR code to get around Paris during the Olympics?
• EXPLAINED: How getting a blood test works in France
• What to expect for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France
• OPINION: France's economy is far from doomed, but not quite booming either
• Rising sea levels threaten Normandy's historic D-Day beaches
• Can France confiscate your foreign driving licence?

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We kick off this week looking at the Féte du Travail on May 1st. Is it still a significant, symbolic day for workers in France or is it just regarded as a bonus day off?

We also look at the big upcoming change for passport checks in Europe. It's called EES and it's almost certain to cause lots of travel issues, which is why we try and answer some of the important questions our readers have about it.

And... we also look at how France plans to take better care of its elderly population, whether the French government could impose bans on screen time for kids and what exactly is an “integration contract" when it comes to visas or residency permits in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by The Local France's fountains of knowledge and sound advice, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• What will EES passport system mean for foreigners living in Europe?
• How France plans to protect kids from too much screen time
• New immigration law: who has to take integration courses in France?
• How will France's free-flow autoroute toll booths work for foreign vehicles?
• 'Ageing well': What is France's new law to protect the elderly and carers?

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This week we explore just how big an issue is youth violence around schools in France. Is it out of control or just being exploited by those pesky politicians?

We explain where foreigners buy second homes in France and why fewer Brits are snapping up properties. We also find out why one French island is taking on Airbnb and look at why drivers on French motorways could soon avoid stopping for the tolls.

And "the English language is just French pronounced badly". Who would say such a provocative thing and why? We'll reveal all.

Ben McPartland your host is joined for this new series by our regular team from The Local, Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Welcome to a new episode and new series of Talking France. Thanks to all our regular listeners for tuning in and a big welcome to any new listeners joining us. This podcast is produced by the team at The Local France and while it's free it is only made possible by our paying members. Thanks to all of you who have joined. And a particular thanks to the gentlemen who emailed us to say he had joined The Local to help keep this podcast going. Much appreciated.

Further reading:

• OPINION: No, France is not suffering from an unprecedented wave of violence
• REVEALED: Where foreigners are buying second homes in France
• Brits still buying in France despite a post-Brexit drop in property sales
• France to start scrapping motorway tollbooths
• Is the English language just 'badly pronounced French'?

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On this week's Talking France we talk about trains, croissants, the Le Pens, French bashing and the sexy subject of tax declarations in France.

France is about to test a new 49 euro rail pass to encourage people to get onto trains. We explain who can take advantage of it and where you can use it.

Plus it's 120 years of the entente cordiale between France and the UK, we will explore whether there's any real entente between the two countries these days and whether or not it's even cordial. 

And French far right stalwart Jean-Marie Le Pen is a talking point this week. Does he deserve any credit for shaking up French politics in recent decades, or is he just a racist in the right place at the right time…?

And people have been meddling with croissants again! We've had fish-fingers and sausages, what on earth are they putting in these sacred pastries now? I'll give you a clue... it's been called a crookie.

Ben McPartland your host is joined this week by three of the finest minds at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield. 

Further reading:

• France on track to launch €49 rail pass this summer
• French baker starts 'crookie' craze by adding cookie dough to sacred croissant
• Swapping of the guard: French and British troops mark Entente Cordiale
• What are the changes to the 2024 French tax declaration?

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Up for discussion this week are France's regional airports. Have you flown into or out of the likes of Limoges, Brest or even Bergerac? No doubt these airports are handy but are they really sustainable? 

We also look at how France's official Champagne region is going to grow. Could it include part of England one day? And with the Olympics in sight we'll explain, with the help of author Simon Kuper, how Paris and even Parisians are changing.

And can you really get €6,000 a month in unemployment benefit in France for a whole year? Yes, you can, but perhaps not for much longer with the French government under pressure to make cuts.

And most of the deadly animals in France are in zoos but the numbers of wolves and bears in the wild are growing. We look at where they are and the chances of you encountering one.

Host Ben McPartland is once again joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as French politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• France to revise official Champagne making area due to climate change
• What are the most dangerous animals in France?
• Are France's loss-making regional airports under threat?
• Just how generous is France's unemployment system?
• How France plans cuts to its generous unemployment system

Simon Kuper's book "Impossible City - Paris in the 21st Century" is published on April 11th and is available in all book shops as well as online.

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