The Dark Side of France

People and Power examines the impact of the far-right on the French presidential elections

Last month more than seven and a half million French voters propelled the National Front's Marine Le Pen through to the final, second round of this year's presidential election on May 7.

Though recent opinion polls have consistently been against her getting past the centrist Emmanuel Macron to the Elysee Palace, the very fact that an openly xenophobic, anti-immigrant and anti-European Union politician is on the final ballot speaks to a great and troubling fracture in French society.

France votes: The media effect

As the French media rally around Macron, how will Marine Le Pen tweak her media strategy? Plus, Podemos' challenge.

France votes: The media effect

The far-right Marine Le Pen is within striking distance of the French presidency. Did the French media help get her this far and how do they cover her now?

Contributors:
Scott Sayare, Paris-based journalist
Nadia Henni-Moulai, journalist and founder of MeltingBook
Wallerand de Saint-Just, member, National Front
Daniel Schneidermann, journalist and media analyst

What would a Le Pen victory mean for France?

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen advance to run-off vote in May

The two contenders for French president have now emerged and for the first time they will not come from either of the main parties.

Centrist Emmanuel Macron will take on far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the runoff election in two weeks. But this election is about more than just liberal versus conservative.

It is about being for or against the establishment, immigration, the European Union and globalisation.