Surveys suggest French centrists are gaining ground, but still behind far-right party and leftwing bloc
For three decades the French football team has been the instrument for a national debate on race
Record number of proxy votes are expected to be cast as elections clash with holidays
Any victorious populists — and the EU’s new fiscal rules — face baptism of fire
French PM Gabriel Attal is face of centrist campaign in upcoming snap elections triggered by president
The chief risk is not reckless far-right economic policies but a president and prime minister so at odds that chaos follows
Both political forces have lavish spending plans that are spooking investors
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EU officials fear bigger battle with Paris on budget rules if far right or left take power after election
Corporate leaders are more alarmed by leftwing alliance’s radical tax agenda than unfunded promises of far-right RN
Both the far right and leftwing are touting populist and uncosted policies
Philip Lane says sell-off of country’s debt does not meet criteria to invoke central bank’s emergency powers
Leader has purged senior colleagues even as leftwing parties try to build a united front for parliamentary elections
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon says he will not insist on premiership if grouping wins most seats
New Popular Front rocked by purge after being formed this week in threat to Emmanuel Macron
Des doutes subsistent même dans le camp du président français quant à l’opportunité de convoquer des élections anticipées.
There are doubts even in the French president’s own camp about the wisdom of calling snap elections
Once consigned to the fringes, French voters now have to decide if they are ready to hand power to Marine Le Pen’s party
Cac 40 down more than 6% since Macron called election, with big spending plans likely to be favoured by new parliament
Italian premier trades barbs with under-pressure French president over abortion rights
President’s alliance could be squeezed out in run-offs between far left and far right, projections show
In calling a snap election, the French president has set off a profound redrawing of the political landscape
RN’s economic programme could be twice as costly as tax cuts by former UK premier Liz Truss
Also in this newsletter: companies struggle to prepare for environmental reporting rules
Could France be heading for a far-right government?
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