Five challenges for Macron in new term
French President Emmanuel Macron faces a daunting range of tasks after defeating far-right leader Marine Le Pen and winning a new term at the Elysee Palace. AFP looks at five challenges ahead for the centrist
The key moments in French presidential debate
French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right veteran Marine Le Pen went head-to-head in a live presidential debate on Wednesday night that could be crucial in determining the outcome of this weekend's election
French presidential TV debate: pivotal campaign moment
The live televised presidential debate on Wednesday between President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen is set to be a crucial moment in a tight race for the Elysee
Crossroads – French presidential election podcast [#Episode 3]
What does it mean to be French in a country where a quarter of the population are either immigrants or have immigrant heritage? It is a question that seems to come up in every presidential campaign and inevitably leads to heated debate
Crossroads – French presidential election podcast [#Episode 2]
One of the major themes in the 2022 French presidential election has been de-industrialisation. The car, metallurgy and textile industries have lost half of their workforce in the last 40 years and less is being manufactured on French territory
Crossroads – French presidential election podcast [#Episode 1]
The sense of abandonment is strong in rural France which has witnessed a decline in public services. The 'Crossroads' podcast travels to the Ardennes, where many feel they have been cut adrift by Paris
Roberta Metsola: new anti-abortion EU parliament chief
Maltese politician Roberta Metsola has been elected head of the European Parliament, the youngest person ever to clinch the job, but fanning controversy for her opposition to abortion
David Sassoli: from TV journalist to EU parliament chief
EU flags flew at half-mast for European Parliament speaker David Sassoli, who died on January 11, aged 65, as tributes flowed in from leaders and officials from around the 27-nation bloc and beyond
Can a fractured French Left rally troops against Macron?
With 90 days to go before the French presidential election, the country's multiple leftwing parties are facing near-certain elimination in the first round -- unless they can unify behind a single candidate
Does Draghi stay or go? Italy readies for new president
Italy's parliament will start voting on January 24 for a new president, with Prime Minister Mario Draghi widely expected to take over despite the risk of destabilising the country's post-pandemic recovery