Hollande's first three months: Has 'Mr Normal' won the austerity battle?

François Hollande has been France's president for a little under three months. He came to power vowing to fight the European trend for austerity. Laura Baines and her panel discuss whether Hollande has managed to turn the tide in Europe, or whether the French president is merely swimming against it as the eurozone crisis rumbles on.

DEBATE

Gregory VISCUSI, Reporter, Bloomberg News;
Denis DEMONPION, Editor-in-Chief, Le Nouvel Observateur Magazine;
Pierre ROUSSELIN, Senior Editor on foreign affairs issues, Le Figaro;
John GAFFNEY, Professor of Politics, Co-Director, Centre for Europe Aston University and author of "The French Left and the Fifth Republic".
Watch the second part

Programme prepared and produced by Wassim Nasr, Sara Bertilsson and Mary Colombel

Presenter

François Picard

24/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Portrait of a tyrant: who is the real Gaddafi? (Part 2)

In power for over 40 years, Libya’s Muammar Gadhafi is the Arab world’s longest serving leader. He was once dubbed the mad dog of the middle east by US President Ronald Reagan and this week he lived up to his nickname by promising to annihilate his opponents in a ranting hour long speech. Just how far is Gadhafi prepared to go in order to hold on to power?

24/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Revolt in Libya: is it time to intervene? (Part 1)

The dream that began in Tunisia and Egypt has turned in to a nightmare in Libya. Hundreds are feared dead in a brutal crackdown ordered by Colonel Gadhafi. Given the rapprochement between Libya’s firebrand leader and the west in recent years, is it now time for the international community to intervene and protect the Libyan people from Gadhafi’s wrath?

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24/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Revolt in Libya: is it time to intervene?

23/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Arab awakening: has France mishandled the regional revolutions? (Part 2)

The French government has appeared out of touch and wrong footed by recent events in the Middle East. There’s been a series of gaffes linking the foreign minister to Tunisia’s ousted President and President Sarkozy is urging his ministers to favour France in the future, when it comes to foreign holidays. What can France do to restore its influence in the region?.