Crunch time for Le Pen, Ryanair's threat and McDonald's targets rural France

This week we'll look at a potential earthquake in French politics that could strike next week. That's when far right leader Marine Le Pen will find out whether she's been banned from standing in elections. Could she be banned? Should she be banned? What will happen if she is? We'll delve deep into all of those questions and try to come with some answers.

We'll also find out about McDonald's vision of conquering rural France. Can the US fast food giant win the hearts and stomachs of French villagers?

We'll explain why France is once again arguing over the rules of surrogacy and how the law compares to elsewhere in Europe plus we'll examine whether Ryanair has followed through with its threat to pull out of France.

And we'll tell you the story of how Asterix and Obelix resisted the Romans but conquered France.

Host Ben McPartland and is joined by the team at the Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield, who, if he was a character in Asterix he’d be called Politix.

Related reading:

• OPINION: Le Pen's future hangs in the balance, and France is heading for a messy constitutional row
• Asterix: Five things to know about France's favourite character
• McDonald's targets French villages with plans for 50 new outlets
• Reader question: Is McDonald's really healthier in France?
• What are France's rules on surrogacy?
• What happened Ryanair's threats to pull out of France over 'eco tax'?
• LISTED: All the new flights to and from France in Spring 2025

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