PODCAST: Le Pen faces the end and why France wants less meat but more babies

"Marine Le Pen's appeal trial concluded on Wednesday, with judges announcing that they will deliver their verdict on July 7th. Legal observers in France believe the appeal is unlikely to succeed so the key question now is whether any ban on her candidacy might be reduced, potentially allowing her to run in the next French presidential election. We also examine whether her deputy, Jordan Bardella, would stand a realistic chance of winning in 2027."

"President Emmanuel Macron has renewed his call to shorten France's long summer school holidays, which currently last nine weeks. The debate goes beyond simply cutting the break short, raising questions about overall school hours. We look at who backs the proposal, who opposes it, and the wider implications this reform could have. We also discuss France's latest efforts to address falling birth rates, alongside another government report published this week recommending that people reduce their meat consumption, both for health reasons."

"Welcome back to Talking France - this week's podcast covers the latest on the Le Pen trial, the ins and outs of private beaches in France and why the French government wants people to have more babies but eat less meat. Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, John Lichfield, and Emma Albright. We look at what's made the news in France this week - whether Marine Le Pen's deputy, Jordan Bardella of the Rassemblement National,"

Marine Le Pen's appeal trial concluded with judges set to deliver a verdict on July 7. Legal observers consider the appeal unlikely to succeed, creating uncertainty about possible reductions to any candidacy ban and implications for the 2027 presidential race and Jordan Bardella's prospects. President Emmanuel Macron has called to shorten France's nine-week summer school holidays, sparking debate over total school hours and divided political and public opinions. The government is addressing falling birth rates and a report recommends reduced meat consumption for health and climate reasons. Topics also include private beaches and a few bilingual pitfalls between French and English.

Read at The Local France