WTFrance!

We're back! After two months of hiatus (a typical French long holiday weekend) Juliette explains why France needs a new Prime Minister and government, how elections are not likely, and how there are two articles in the French constitution that describe how to topple a government*.

We discuss a number of other problems France has, the largest by far being the budget law for 2025. 

A number of potential names for Prime Minister come by. Does it even matter?

As usual Brigitte Macron makes an appearance in her role as top Macron-influencer.

Two happy notes: we managed to go through this without mentioning Donald Trump! And we do mention Marine Le Pen, in context of her maybe being barred from holding elected office.

*yes, the French people historically have a third way to "topple" a government. We mention it :-)

(and apologies to my dad, he's not *that* old - Pepijn)

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Juliette explains why France needs 41 ministers*, we discuss some of them** to get a general idea of these people and why one country needs 41. Juliette also explains what the three levels of ministers in the French government are all about.

*and yet, two weeks after Paralympics they almost forgot to appoint one for people with handicaps..

**Here's a telling quote from the Minister of Education, Anne Genetet, who used to run a "Maid agency" in Singapore: "Don't hire a maid who has already worked for Westerners, she might be more demanding."

We also spend time on Gisèle Pelicot and the French mass rape trial. What does this mean for French society?

While we don't end with fun animal news we do discuss future Special Episodes of the podcast. Juliette talks a bit about the Institute of Political Studies she attended.

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This week the prime minister is looking for political allies, ministers and money. Still no government though.

Some people been upset about the selection process around the new European Commission and Ursula von der Leyen.

We also discuss Dutch politics, why most politicians are male and the concept of undated resignation letters (Trump makes an appearance!). 

Finally in happy news: A death poet in the Notre Dame!

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While France has a PM it still does not have a government. The left is unified in blocking the right-wing government-to-be and turned down offers to provide a token minister.

Dutch politics are also discussed in context of the migrant crises. Marine Le Pen might go the jail for fraud.

And we discuss Fabrice Pannekoucke, who inspired this weeks podcast art! #pannenkoek

Finally in happy news: President Macron has a good idea!

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Michel Barnier (of Brexit fame) is the new French Prime Minister. Most of the episode is our discussion on what that means for the right, for the left, for France, and for Europe.

We further talk about national and local budgets, fiscal conservatism and the demonstrations that are happening all over France today.

And then there's Happy News: we have rooster news! Aaand also Paralympic volleyball news! So that's fun.

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We start with Telegram and its rightwing libertarian billionaire owner. What exactly is he accused of, is it a free speech issue? And Juliette reveals the manner he ended up with French citizenship..

In PM news Macron has navigated himself into a situation where France might have another snap election.

We end with the Paralympics. Good vibes :-)

Sound quality in the first minutes is a bit off. Sleep depravation is to blame..

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French politicians are returning to work. From left to right, talks were had about the prime minister and cabinet. We discuss potential PMs and challenges France is facing.

And while discussing French healthcare we went a bit on a tangent discussing Pepijn's bat-related ER visit..

BREAKING: while recording Mélenchon made an important statement. We added Juliette's thoughts at the end.

It's a long episode :-)

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This week we discuss wide ranging topics from calls for a rewrite of the French constitution, the sixth republic, and.. Smurfs.

And there's an extensive segment into the cultural relevance of the classic custard dessert, Flanby (link below). And even though it all links into politics we can proudly say WTFrance is now basically a food podcast.

As promised, the Flanby link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanby

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Politics are winding down as the French go on summer holiday.

For the first time in weeks the Paris Olympics barely come up!

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The French are still busy with the Olympics and admiring home-town hero Léon Marchand.

Laurence Fox, an angry English man known for being Inspector Lewis his sidekick, also makes an appearance!

There's also cats!

Find us at https://universeodon.com/@WTFrance