Macron on the world stage: French president 'very popular everywhere in Europe, except for France'

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."