logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
25m 5s

Grand Barnier: France’s new prime minist...

The Economist
About this episode

Two months ago, French politics was thrown into crisis after a snap election left no party with a clear majority. Michel Barnier, the new prime minister, has a huge task ahead. Donald Trump’s campaign took time to adjust to the nomination of Kamala Harris. Now he’s on the attack again (9:40). And celebrating the life of stonemason, Simon Verity (17:37).


Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+


For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Up next
Aug 22
Rule and divide: opposition grows in Syria
Less than nine months after Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled, the honeymoon is over. How is the new regime responding to rising dissent? Introducing Britain’s revolutionary retirees: why pensioners increasingly dominate political protest. And celebrating the life of o ... Show More
23m 38s
Aug 21
Stake and chips: will America take 10% of Intel?
Intel was once synonymous with chip-making, but in recent years it has fallen behind. Now the Trump administration may become its biggest shareholder. A political assassination in Colombia raises fears about a return to violence. And what an annual snail race tells us about rural ... Show More
21m 2s
Aug 20
Trouble in paradise: US plans for Pacific war
With China as its new rival, America is reviving old wartime facilities across the Pacific. Our correspondent visits an abandoned airfield that has been given new life. The outlook for climate technology is surprisingly bright. And why the universe of Hello Kitty keeps expanding. ... Show More
22m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Grand Barnier: France’s new prime minister
Two months ago, French politics was thrown into crisis after a snap election left no party with a clear majority. Michel Barnier, the new prime minister, has a huge task ahead. Donald Trump’s campaign took time to adjust to the nomination of Kamala Harris. Now he’s on the attack ... Show More
25m 5s
Nov 2024
Needs Musk: Donald Trump’s new appointments
A week after Donald Trump won a decisive victory in the presidential election, he is making appointments to his new White House. What do they tell us about his second term? Many European governments are turning against immigration but they still need agricultural migrants (10:29) ... Show More
25m 4s
Apr 2025
The Carney army: Canada unites against Trump
Canada’s election campaign was dominated by Donald Trump’s threats against the nation. Now the Liberal party has won, it faces a tougher fight: confronting the US president. Japanese salarymen used to take a job for life, now they are finally switching companies – and even career ... Show More
21m 11s
Mar 2025
No question, Mark: Canada’s new PM
The governing Liberal party is enjoying a stunning turnaround in the polls, and now it has a new leader. We ask how Mark Carney will tussle with Donald Trump’s tariffs and taunts. China has a vibrant new wintertime economic sector: skiing and snowy tourism (10:45). And a tribute ... Show More
24m 12s
Jul 8
The French reconnection: Macron in Britain
Anglo-French relations have not been so good since before the Brexit vote. Beneath the state-visit pageantry, though, there is much co-operation for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss. Gangs have infiltrated many of Latin America’s mining operati ... Show More
21m 10s
Jul 4
Oh Keir! Labour’s torrid first year
After a landslide victory and promises for radical renewal, Britain’s Labour government is failing in policy and popularity. Our correspondents explain why. Nearly a year after the despotic prime minister of Bangladesh fled, an interview with its new leader on the country’s compl ... Show More
28m 3s
Aug 22
Rule and divide: opposition grows in Syria
Less than nine months after Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled, the honeymoon is over. How is the new regime responding to rising dissent? Introducing Britain’s revolutionary retirees: why pensioners increasingly dominate political protest. And celebrating the life of o ... Show More
23m 38s
May 2
Aussie rules: give Trumpism the boot
Australia’s Conservative party was on the ascent until Donald Trump took office in January. At the polls this weekend, the dominant concern is who will stand up to the new White House administration. How India’s revolution in road-building is transforming rural lives (10:32). And ... Show More
24m 15s
Feb 2025
Emmanuel dexterity: Trump and Macron chat
The meeting between France’s and America’s presidents had a familiarly chummy feel. We ask whether Emmanuel Macron’s charm offensive might have changed Donald Trump’s mind on security matters. Norway’s stocks of wild salmon are in trouble—owing in part to their farmed brethren (9 ... Show More
22m 40s
Dec 2024
Off-side: Georgians reject new president
This weekend, the ruling Georgian Dream party elected a new president – but only one name was on the ballot. That sparked further street protests, as our correspondent reports. Why a new US administration will find it hard to cut costs at NASA (12:19). And the enduring appeal of ... Show More
26m 43s