When French voters cast their ballots in the April 24 presidential run-off, the result will be watched well beyond our borders. For now, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen are serving up opposing visions of France's place on the world stage. He is for ratcheting up concerted EU sanctions against Vladimir Putin, while she is against any oil or gas embargo. The incumbent backs working together on defence, while his far-right rival wants France to quit NATO's integrated military command. Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, who is the right candidate for this moment?
It is cost of living, not foreign policy, that's top of voters' minds. But the price hikes are not happening in a vacuum. What lessons can be drawn from the global scramble unfolding for goods and raw materials and the overdependence on Russian oil and gas? Is France better off bargaining on its own or as part of a broader EU on energy, healthcare and immigration?
Produced by Charles Wente, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
