Issued on: 01/05/2026 - 11:41Modified: 01/05/2026 - 11:52

Alison Sargent welcomes Dr Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Lancaster University. As Labour Day is commemorated across the globe, Dr Foucart offers a sobering analysis of France's sociopolitical and economic challenges in the lead-up to the 2027 election. With pension reform frozen, May 1st is a "victory lap” for the social democrats. Meanwhile, fractures within the far right, and among the left-wing parties, have created an unpredictable political landscape. The next leader will inherit a slew of deferred crises. "Whoever is in charge will be immediately highly unpopular."

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