Who can stand up to France’s National Front?

French voters are due to head to the polls to elect their next president in less than six months.

The chances of Francois Hollande being re-elected are not looking good.

Opinion polls say the socialist leader is the most unpopular president in recent history.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is currently doing very well in the polls.

Add to that Donald Trump’s victory in the United States, as well as Britons voting for Brexit, and more shockwaves wouldn’t be a surprise.

The French Republican party’s election of its presidential candidate is the first event in this peculiar election cycle.

French voters are choosing their nominee in the first round of polls.

The two leading candidates from Sunday’s vote go forward to the second round in a week’s time.

Immigration and terrorism concerns are dominating campaigning.

So, are the French heading for a sharp lurch to the right?

And how are the French being influenced by the growing anti-establishment mood globally?

Presenter: Martine Dennis

Guests:

Renaud Girard, Chief Foreign Correspondent for Le Figaro newspaper

Francois Gere, President, French Strategic Analysis Institute

Olivier Guitta, Managing Director, GlobalStrat consultancy firm