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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