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France election: Melenchon's surprise

Monday, 17 April 2017 8:20 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 17 April 2017 8:20 AM ]

French presidential election candidate for the far-left coalition La France insoumise Jean-Luc Melenchon speaks during a campaign rally at the Prairie de Filtres park in Toulouse on April 16, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

These are some of the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:

France elections: Melenchon's surprise

A week is a long time in politics. Following last weeks unprecedented 4 hour marathon debate, that saw all 11 Presidential hopefuls take to the stage, a week has passed following a period of reflection for the voters and candidates alike. With figures of up to one third of voters still undecided as to whom to run with, the elections are still to play for, with the two leading candidates, Emanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen still enjoying around 24% of the votes respectfully, and more than likely guaranteeing them both access to the second round. What yet remains to be seen is the endorsement of the current French president, with one source, Le Figaro, suggesting that Hollande is leaning more and more towards Macron as the deadline approaches.

Iran's 2017 Presidential elections

Iran is preparing to hold a crucial presidential election within the next few weeks. And a race that would determine whether the incumbent president Hassan Rouhani would stay for a second term or replaced by a new face has already started. Iran’s Interior Ministry opened registration for the candidates as of this past Saturday. Dozens field to run for the country’s top executive seat but there was a big surprise many never expected to happen. Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who handed office to Rouhani in 2013 after completing two consecutive terms, also registered for the race.

Trump's U-turn on NATO

US president Donald Trump appears to have backtracked on one his most controversial campaign platforms. During the campaign season, president Trump launched a bitter attack against the North Alliance Treaty, NATO, describing it as obsolete.But on Wednesday, the president reversed his view on the military alliance, saying it's no longer obsolete.His attack against the NATO was one of his most controversial campaign promises, which caused a lot of unease among Washington's European allies. Trump however insisted that NATO members should pay more money for military budget of the military alliance.

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