France fears more political violence and record rainfall leaves the country under water

France right now is pretty much either water or under metres of snow, depending on where you are in the country so we'll start by getting the latest on the extreme weather that continues to lash the country. The big story in France this week has been the killing of a young far-right activist in Lyon after violent clashes that have been blamed on a group on the extreme left. We'll look at all the reaction and finger-pointing that has followed and the fears there may be more violence to come as we head towards the 2027 presidential election. We'll also hear the stories of young people and pensioners who have been denied French citizenship because of tightened rules around income and bring you the final details about a new healthcare fee many foreigners in France will have to pay in future. And we'll explain why the upcoming salon d'agriculture is such a key date in the French cultural and political calendar - even if there are no cows this year. And there's nothing worse for French learners than being betrayed by all those false friends, but why are there so many of them? We’ll find out. Host Ben McPartland is joined as usual this week by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, otherwise known as EmmaP - Emma Albright, otherwise known as Emma A and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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France fears more political violence and record rainfall leaves the country under water is an episode from Talking France by The Local France.

This episode is 36:59 long.

This episode was published on Feb 18, 2026.

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