Tribute to slain Corsican nationalist stirs fresh controversy in France

Following two years of an unprecedented pandemic, and amidst a new war in Ukraine, this election campaign is unlike any other. The 12 French presidential hopefuls are doing little campaigning. Conservative candidate Valérie Pécresse has tested positive for Covid-19, while the incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is focusing on the diplomatic response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Macron is way ahead of the pack, but he keeps telling his camp to stop thinking this election will be a cakewalk. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley tells us all we need to know about this very peculiar campaign.

With no less than three international summits this Thursday in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine, the issue of Europe's defence is front and centre. From the European Army advocated by Green candidate Yannick Jadot to the far left and far right saying that France should quit NATO, FRANCE 24's Brussels correspondent Dave Keating takes stock of the candidates' proposals.

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