/423/ Who Wants the 'Worst Job' in France? ft. Charles Devellennes

Bungacast

On France's surprise parliamentary election.

The left-wing 'New Popular Front' came a surprise first, for now putting a halt to expectations that the far-right Rassemblement National would soon enter government. We talk to political scientist and commentator Charles Devellennes, and ask:

• What was Macron's gamble in calling this early election?

• Is becoming Prime Minister actually a bad thing for your future prospects?

• Is the Left actually 'far left' and the Right 'far right'? Is Le Pen a fascist?

• Did the Left actually save Macron? Why not an alliance between Left and Right against the centre?

• Will France opt for the undemocratic 'Italian Solution' and appoint an unelected technocrat?

• Can Macron's party and his style of rule survive Macron eventually being out of office?

• Does the uncertainty mean France is back to the postwar 4th Republic? Is this continuity? Something new?

Links:

The Macron Régime: The Ideology of the New Right in France, Charles Devellennes