CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

The countdown starts here for the French presidential elections. We take you through the week’s top stories...and take a closer look at the themes that have been making the headlines. Monday to Friday at 9.50 am and 9.15 pm.

Sarkozy knocked out?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Sarkozy knocked out?

We take a look at the lines of attack, the insults and the body language used by France's sparring presidential candidates in last night's big debate - and try to pick a winner.
Hollande and Sarkozy - the final round
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Hollande and Sarkozy - the final round

We take a look at the two candidates' strategies for tonight's live TV debate - is Hollande nervous? What will Sarkozy's line of attack be? And which camera angles have their PR people banned?
Are France's unions ever really neutral?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Are France's unions ever really neutral?

Both Nicolas Sarkozy and union leaders are being criticised for undermining the supposedly strict political neutrality of May Day - but isn't it always highly political anyway?
François Hollande: jumping the gun?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

François Hollande: jumping the gun?

Nicolas Sarkozy hits out at the Mediapart website and their so-called smear campaign, while François Holland is accused of acting like France's next president before the votes have even been counted. We catch up on the candidates as they push for support in the last week of the campaign.
Skeletons in the closet
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Skeletons in the closet

This was the weekend the subjects the candidates thought they had got rid of made a comeback in the French election campaign - Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and the financing of Sarkozy's 2007 campaign.
Sarkozy: edging too far to the right?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Sarkozy: edging too far to the right?

Jean-Luc Mélenchon accuses Nicolas Sarkozy of going too far to woo the right-wing vote, and former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin says the right "frighten" him. François Hollande was in Bourges to rally supporters at a music festival and a blast from the past: Dominique Strauss Kahn says his downfall last year was down to his political opponents.
Marine Le Pen's 'neither-nor'
Campaign chronicles

Marine Le Pen's 'neither-nor'

Marine Le Pen's surprise showing in the first round of the presidential vote has become the major factor in the run-up to the second round. Could her supporters swing it one way or the other? It is reported she is unlikely to back either Hollande or Sarkozy as she prepares the ground for political gains in June's parliamentary vote. That's the focus for this Friday, 27th April 2012.
A rather dangerous candidate and real work, for real workers
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

A rather dangerous candidate and real work, for real workers

In today's Campaign Chronicles: controversial Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan causes a stir, "self-defence" for police officers divides opinion, and Marine Le Pen calls for order among the electioneering. We also take a look at why one newspaper thinks François Hollande is a dangerous man.
Can François Hollande save French jobs?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Can François Hollande save French jobs?

The Socialist candidate is trying to get his preferred subjects to the top of the agenda - but will his moves to restart the French economy really work?
Has Sarkozy gone too far in pushing for far-right votes?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Has Sarkozy gone too far in pushing for far-right votes?

Nicolas Sarkozy has crossed a line now for many of the French papers, telling a France 24 journalist that there are no taboos in talking to the far-right National Front.
Just who voted for Marine Le Pen?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Just who voted for Marine Le Pen?

We look at just how Marine Le Pen managed to get a shocking score of almost 20% of votes in the first round of the French election - and how she has changed her party's image.
Is electoral law outdated in the age of Twitter?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Is electoral law outdated in the age of Twitter?

French law bans anyone from revealing exit polls in this Sunday's presidential election before the polls close at 8pm - but won't social networks reveal all anyway?
What about the second round?
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

What about the second round?

We have a look forward in today's show to what the candidates are reportedly planning for after the first round of the election - and we discuss why they still haven't sealed the deal with so many voters.
Still haven't decided who to vote for? Neither have 22% of the French
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Still haven't decided who to vote for? Neither have 22% of the French

In today's Campaign Chronicles, we look at the 22% of French voters who still haven't made up their minds who to vote for - and the candidates' last-minute tactics for winning them over.
Sarkozy wows the crowds, but keeps an eye on his watch
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES

Sarkozy wows the crowds, but keeps an eye on his watch

We follow the candidates on the campaign trail, as Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande rally the crowds in Paris. And far-left candidate Philippe Poutou makes a gaffe on French television as he lays into billionaire CEOs, including the owner of the channel he's appearing on...
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