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

08/05/2013 - THE DEBATE

Gemany, lonely at the top

"Nothing could be worse for Germany than to speak of a German Europe" warns finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble. But is already the case? François Picard’s panel argues over a German model whose downsides are often downplayed – both in Europe and in a country that’s preparing for a general election in the autumn.

07/05/2013 - THE DEBATE

War in Syria: Will spillover spark regional conflict?

More than two years after the Syrian revolt began, the conflict has taken a frightening turn in recent days with Israel striking Damascus twice, Syria threatening to retaliate and growing evidence that chemical weapons may have been used. With Lebanon ever so fragile, Turkey on edge, Jordan flooded with refugees and an international community still deeply divided, could we be witnessing the perfect storm that will plunge the whole region into conflict?

07/05/2013 - THE DEBATE

War in Syria: Will spillover spark regional conflict?

06/05/2013 - THE DEBATE

Hollande's first year (part 2)

"Unhappy birthday, Mr. President!" Today, François Hollande's mandate is one year old. But it has been a long and painful 12 months for the French President. Marc Perelman and his guests discuss the French presidency's ups and downs over the past year.