François Hollande: portrait of a president

France has elected a left-wing president. It's goodbye to "bling bling" and hello to "Mr. Normal". The Socialist François Hollande promises to boost growth instead of making more cuts. Nicolas Sarkozy, meanwhile, will pack his bags and make way for Hollande at the Elysée Palace next week.

THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Jessica Le Masurier

Presenter

07/08/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

'Staycation': President Hollande tries to lead by example

President François Hollande will be spending his summer vacation on the French Mediterranean coast. It’s a bid to keep up the "Mr Normal" image which helped him win the presidential election in May. Next, France’s Interior Ministry is taking steps to boost security and law enforcement in the country’s crime hot spots. Fifteen of the worst-affected areas will benefit from police reinforcement and extra resources.

31/07/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

A not-so-new approach to immigration by Manuel Valls?

We profile France's new interior minister Manuel Valls, who is promising to review the criteria for obtaining French citizenship. His critics are calling him the "Sarkozy of the left". Next, President Hollande heads to London to cheer on French athletes at the Olympics. But politics is never far away, after British Prime Minister David Cameron promised to roll out the red carpet for French businesses. Finally, we discover a French version of "The Full Monty".

24/07/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Olympics: will Team France make its country proud?

Hungry for medals and hoping for gold - the 332 members of Team France prepare to take London by storm. Next, is French society sexist? A recent incident in the National Assembly is sparking controversy. Finally, we look at why France is still the world's top tourist destination.

17/07/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Peugeot job cuts seen as national catastrophe

France is up in arms over planned job cuts, notably in the auto industry, that could turn into a litmus test for the new Socialist government. Also, one Twitter misstep and she was gone... but First Lady Valérie Trierweiler is making a discreet comeback. And 70 years on, France remembers the single most deadly roundup of Jewish citizens during World War II.

10/07/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Unemployment and competitivity top social summit agenda

This week President Hollande tries to juggle the demands of the unions and fix the French economy. Next, a lethal shooter outside a French nightclub raises questions about security. Finally, France's football team has a new coach. But will Didier Deschamps be able to whip the team back into shape in time for the Brazilian World Cup in 2014?