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The World Tonight: France counts down to snap legislative election as campaign begins

France counts down to snap legislative election as campaign begins

BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight, France counts down to snap legislative election as campaign begins

Campaigning kicks off for French snap election called by Emmanuel Macron

France has just two weeks before the first round of voting in legislative elections called suddenly by Emmanuel Macron. The President is seeking to confront the electoral challenge of the populist, right-wing National Rally headed by Marine Le Pen, who won twice the number of votes of Macron's centrists in European elections earlier this month. But the political uncertainty has triggered a sell-off of French bonds and stocks. We speak to a member of Macron's Renaissance party.

Here in the UK, it was the turn of the Reform party to present their platform for the general election: not a manifesto, but a contract, according to Nigel Farage. A contract that promised a freeze on "non-essential" migration and a huge overhaul of government finances with tax cuts and savings.

And, six years after the death of Avicii, we hear from his father, who is using his son's legacy to support young people's mental health.

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France counts down to snap legislative election as campaign begins

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