France has voted in the first round of the snap parliamentary poll - an election considered one of the most pivotal in recent French history.

This week, we explain the results, look ahead at what happens over the next few days and what Sunday's second round will bring. Can the far-right get a majority government or will the so-called Republican Front hold firm once again? President Emmanuel Macron is running out of options but what will he do next?

We'll also explain how the far-right's policies on French preference and dual nationality would impact foreign residents.

To answer all these crucial questions and to help explain the messy state of play in France, host Ben McPartland will call on our team at The Local - Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as our French politics expert John Lichfield.

Related articles:

• The best France can hope for now is 12 months of turmoil
• Will the far-right get a majority in the French parliament?
• What happens next in France's key election as far right leads after first round
• What is 'national preference' for the French and how would it hurt foreigners?
• What's at stake for foreigners in France is far-right Jordan Bardella becomes PM?
• Coalition, resignation or shared rule: The possible outcomes of France's snap election

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode comes at a crucial time in France's recent history. The first round of France's snap parliamentary elections are on Sunday and there couldn't be more at stake. Is France heading for a political earthquake or can President Emmanuel Macron somehow limit the aftershocks and restore some calm?

We'll look at what lies ahead in the weeks and months to come?

Our French politics expert John Lichfield will explain why he thinks France is heading for deep, dark, unchartered waters.

We'll also explore what the parties on the left, right and centre might do if they get to form the next French government and what we can expect to happen during Sunday's first round.

Away from the elections we'll explain the proposed new law in France that is being described as a "ban on second homes" and who and where it will impact the most.

And was all the talk of the Paris Olympics being unaffordable for most just "project fear"? Whether its travel, accommodation or event tickets we'll explain why you could still get to the Paris Olympics without emptying your bank account.

I'm Ben McPartland and I'll also be joined this week by The Local's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.

Related articles:

• France has taken leave of its senses and its no laughing matter
• French elections: What does each party's manifesto promise?
• French election breakdown: TV debates, latest polls and anti-Semitism
• Paris Olympics: The prices to take advantage of as prices fall
• What is France's law to 'ban second homes'?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're in the midst of a pretty major political crisis here in France with snap elections coming up so needless to say we have plenty to talk about in this week's episode.

Firstly we bring you right up to date with all the drama, the dodgy deals and shaky alliances, the infighting and betrayals and the pleas for French people to get out and vote.

Our French politics wizard John Lichfield will explain why this election could be more calamitous than Brexit for France and the EU and look at what Emmanuel Macron could do if it all goes wrong for him.

We also look at what exactly a prime minister in France does and what power they have. Plus we try to decipher what it could mean for foreigners in France if that prime minister ends up being a far right one.

And away from French politics we look at the famous sites that authorities warn will be overcrowded this summer and what you can do to avoid them and we also bust the myth about whether France really has a 60 percent inheritance tax rate.

Host Ben McPartland is joined in Paris by The Local's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.

Related articles

• What a far-right prime minister could mean for foreigners in France
• French election breakdown: Party alliances and the Ciotti soap opera
• What does a French Prime Minister actually do?
• The 10 French tourist spots most likely to be overcrowded this summer
• Mythbuster: Does France really have a 60 percent inheritance tax rate?
• OPINION: Macron's election gamble is an invitation to calamity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.