Jacques Chirac: Former conservative president turning Socialist?

Our weekly match between two of France's finest political minds Jean-Marc Gonin, Senior Writer with Le Figaro Magazine, and Philip Turle, Journalist at RFI.

POLITICS

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A programme produced by Mounia Ben Aïssa

Marc Perelman

French Politics Editor

07/02/2013 - POLITICS

France and Africa: a new era, really?

François Hollande was said to be a president who did not know or care much about Africa. But eight months after his election, he has sent French troops to the Central African Republic, Somalia and Mali - admittedly, for different reasons. So is he, like his predecessors, a victim of the "Françafrique" virus, the name used to define the shady and troubled relationship between France and its former colonies in Africa? Or is he acting differently and ushering in a new era in those fraught ties?

31/01/2013 - POLITICS

France: is the country bankrupt?

Is France bankrupt? Daring to say so is a major no-no for French politicians. Labour Minister Michel Sapin has just experienced this after he said so during an interview, prompting an immediate and fierce denial from the government. So is France's political elite hiding the truth, or is France better off than some would think?

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24/01/2013 - POLITICS

War in Mali: is France alone?

Since January 11th, France has a new president - a warrior president. On that day, François Hollande decided to send French troops into Mali, first in the air and now on the ground, and for quite a while it seems. At first, most political parties rallied around the flag and supported the war, but it now appears the consensus is starting to crumble.

18/01/2013 - Politics

French intervention in Mali: a turning point in Hollande's presidency? (Part 1)

Friday January 11th, French combat helicopters flew into northern Mali to stop the advance of islamist fighters who control the north of the country, and that includes the local branch of Al Qaeda. And France is now waging war in the Sahara desert, to rid Mali and the entire region of these groups. How does this impact the Hollande presidency? Will it define his political future?