Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen went head-to-head in a tense televised debate ahead of today’s final round of voting. The 39-year-old centrist repeatedly called his far-right opponent a “liar,” while Le Pen attacked him as “the privileged child of the system and the elites.” Polling indicates a decisive lead for Macron, but the final days of the race have not been without drama. His campaign was targeted by what it described as a “massive hacking attack.” Early suspicions point to Russian interference.

The Conservatives made big gains in local elections, notably in traditional Labour strongholds. As Alexander Redpath wrote on Northern Slant at the start of the week, Labour faces two electoral weaknesses: Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn. This combination has enabled the Tories to make inroads in Labour’s urban heartlands, winning the key mayoral races in Tees Valley and the West Midlands. Andy Burnham was easily returned as the first elected mayor of Manchester, but conspicuously avoided a celebration rally with his party leader.

Meanwhile, the campaign for next month’s general election officially got underway. After the Queen dissolved Parliament, Theresa May accused European Union officials of trying to influence the outcome of the UK’s election and warned them that she will be a “bloody difficult woman” in post-election negotiations. The prospect of these negotiations looks set to dominate the campaign. On this side of the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland enters somewhat unprecedented territory: with no power-sharing administration at Stormont and with the Westminster Parliament dissolved, civil servants are in charge.

Donald Trump scored a surprise legislative victory this week. Having failed in his bid to “repeal and replace” Obamacare within his first 100 days in office, it seemed like Mr Trump’s signature campaign pledge was dead on arrival in Washington. On Thursday, Republicans in the House of Representatives (the lower house) passed a new version of ‘Trumpcare’. However, Republicans in the Senate (the upper house) have vowed to write their own version of the bill. It remains unclear whether both chambers of Congress will be able to agree on any change to existing healthcare legislation.

Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Philip will retire from public duties this summer. Approaching his 96th birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh will not take on any additional engagements. The Duke dealt with the announcement with characteristic humour. When the award-winning mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah told him, “I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down,” Prince Philip retorted, “Well I can’t stand up much longer.”

 

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