- FRANCE 24

22/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

François Hollande's diplomatic debut

Rain, hail and even lightening couldn't stop French President François Hollande from making his diplomatic debut. We bring you the highlights of his first week in office. Next, disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is in more legal trouble. This time he is being investigated for his alleged involvement in a gang rape. He says it is an ongoing smear campaign. Finally, we take you behind the scenes to the VIP parties at the Cannes Film Festival.

16/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Au revoir Sarkozy, bonjour Hollande

Nicolas Sarkozy packs his bags to make way for newly elected French President François Hollande. We take a look at his first few days in office, and who has made it into his cabinet. It's also time to roll out the red carpet for the world's biggest film festival. We get the lowdown on all the glitz and glamour from Cannes.

09/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

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.

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03/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

May Day: The people's platform

This special edition of the show is dedicated to the French presidential elections. We begin by speaking to voters about which issues will motivate their decision this Sunday. Next, we head beyond our borders, and explore what Socialist candidate François Hollande and incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy have in store for France's European future. Finally, we take a look at the two women who are in the running to be first lady.

24/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

National Front: the far-right's surprise surge

She didn't make it through to the second round, but the far-right's Marine Le Pen has emerged as the French poll's surprise winner. François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy now have two weeks to seduce those voters who didn't choose them in the first round.

17/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Election day tweeting is a risky business

Is a Tweet a private message or a public posting? If it's the latter, social media users could face huge fines if they break the 8 pm embargo law on predicting the French election results this Sunday. Next, a year after 63 refugees from Africa died in a stranded boat off the Libyan coast, four survivors are accusing the French army of having abandoned them. Finally, an exhibit of Doisneau's iconic photographs offers a glimpse into the capital's past.

10/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

French election campaign officially kicks off

Campaigning for the French Presidential election officially kicks off but candidates are not allowed to insult each other and they must each have equal air time under French law. Next, France's top court may overturn a verdict against oil giant Total for a devastating spill off the coast of Brittany. Finally, move over Mona Lisa… Cinderella steals the limelight as Disneyland Paris becomes Europe's top tourist destination.

03/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

France cracks down on radical Islamists

France has expelled of group of radical Islamists. It's all part of a crackdown on extremists following last month's attacks in Toulouse and Montauban. Meanwhile, it looks like many people may not even bother to vote in the presidential elections - a poll says the abstention rate in the first round could reach 32%. Finally, the auction of torture instruments that belonged to a French executioner gets the chop after complaints.

27/03/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

French police tackle homegrown terrorism

Following the death of an Islamic extremist in Toulouse last week after he shot and killed several people, we take a look at how French police are trying to tackle homegrown terrorism. Next, after escaping a war zone, some Afghan teenagers find themselves having to sleep rough on the streets of Paris. Finally, a museum in the west of France delves into a dark period in French colonial history - the slave trade.

20/03/2012 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Toulouse shootings: profile of a killer

France is in shock after several deadly shootings in Toulouse and Montauban. The reported killer was shot dead after a 32-hour standoff with police. Next, the presidential campaign is temporarily suspended - we take a look at the impact events like this have had on previous campaigns. Finally, French impressionism is stripped bare as the Musée d'Orsay opens an exhibition of Edgar Degas' nude paintings.