Talking France21 Dec 2023

Does French immigration law spell bad news for foreigners and how Catholic is France?

France's controversial immigration bill has passed through parliament. It's been hailed as a victory for the ideas of the far right but just how bad is it for immigrants in France?

We also look at whether France can still call itself a "Catholic" country and where in the country public transport is free and why.

Podcast listeners can become members of The Local for just €1 for the first month by clicking here.

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After Emmanuel Macron was elected president of France he vowed to battle against the ideas of the far right but after his government's controversial immigration bill passed through parliament this week Marine Le Pen has been claiming victory. So what's in this final bill that's causing such an uproar and is it really a big win for Le Pen?

Away from French politics we explore just how Catholic France is, why some groups have even been banned and why certain Catholics say they are treated as second class citizens.

And for anyone who thinks the French are not funny we have a list of some must-watch hilarious French films for you, we look at the list of French towns where you can travel for free on transport and find out what you have to do to be made a knight in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week to help shed light on all these subjects will be The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

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