Hollande faces the press: French president's first six months

François Hollande spells out France’s "very serious" situation, but the straight talk only goes so far, argue panellists who hoped that at his first major press conference, Hollande would own up to his implementation of austerity.

DEBATE

Philippe MOREAU-CHEVROLET, Columnist, Nouvel Observateur;
Craig COPETAS, Correspondent-at-large, Quartz/Atlantic Group;
Valérie RABAULT, Vice-President, National Financial Commission, French National Assembly;
Felix MARQUARDT, President, Marquardt & Marquardt;
Marc PERELMAN, France 24 Politics Editor.
Watch the second part

Programme produced and prepared by Shamira Mohammad, Anelise Borges and Mary Colombel

Presenter

François Picard

11/06/2013 - THE DEBATE

US spying: Oppression or security measure?

The scandal over US domestic surveillance activities now has a face: Edward Snowden. He is responsible for the leaks on the NSA-Verizon collusion and the NSA's internet surveillance. Efforts to fight terrorism continue to raise questions about morality, legality and effectiveness. Melissa Bell and her panel discuss whether government surveillance is a threat to democracy or indeed necessary to defend it.

06/06/2013 - THE DEBATE

Femen: Topless Jihad? (part 2)

Breasts: is revealing them the ultimate feminist act, or rather a sign that even in their struggles women are now sex objects, inaudible unless naked? Melissa Bell and her panel discuss feminism in general and the Femen movement in particular, not just in Europe but also in the Arab world.

06/06/2013 - THE DEBATE

Femen: Topless Jihad?

05/06/2013 - THE DEBATE

Red line crossed in Syria. Now what? (part 2)

Will the fall of Qusair and the confirmation of the use of deadly nerve gas prove to be turning points in Syria? With the West showing little stomach for intervention, Barack Obama must regret ever mentioning "red lines", say François Picard’s panellists.