Why Did France Swing To The Right?

NPR

Published June 30, 2014 at 1:35 PM EDT

In France, the far right Front National party, under its leader Marine Le Pen, finished on top in the recent European elections. The French prime minister called it a political earthquake, with the ruling Socialist Party pushed into third place. So why did it happen?

The BBC’s Christian Fraser traveled into the French countryside to find out why voters have turned against their main parties.

Note: Please download the Here & Now podcast or use the WBUR app to hear this interview.

Reporter

Christian Fraser, Paris correspondent for the BBC. He tweets @ForeignCorresp.

More from WGCU

Human Interest

Owner of Fort Myers restaurant El Gaucho Inca killed with cousin riding tri-wheel cycle on Tennessee's curvy 'Tail of the Dragon'

WGCU Staff

A Southwest Florida restaurateur and his cousin are dead after the motorcycle they were riding overturned on a stretch of Tennessee road known for its curves.
Environment

Introduction for Barred Owls

Dr. Jerry Jackson

The Barred Owl is perhaps our best-known owl because it is active during the day as well as at night, nests and hunts in cities as well as in mature forest, and is somewhat tolerant of human observers. Barred Owls get their name from the vertical “bar” stripes on its breast. They are also well known for their distinctive “eight-hooter” call cadence of the phrase “Who cooks for you …Who cooks for you all. Barred Owls feed on a diversity of small animals – ranging from mice, small birds, small snakes, lizards, insects, and especially crayfish.
Human Interest

Early settler and Union drummer boy Christian 'Dad' Funck to be remembered during Memorial Day ceremony at Old Fort Myers Cemetery

Tom Hall

Union soldiers will be honored on Memorial Day with taps and flowers by the Colonel Robert Barnard Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 2. Special attention will be paid to early settler Christian Henry Funck, who enlisted at age 13 as a drummer in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Accessibility Note

Why Did France Swing To The Right?

Reporter

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning