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Does Emily Maitlis still think Macron’s gamble paid off?

Zut alors! It’s all kicking off in France where the nation this weekend went to the polls for the second round of voting to the National Assembly. Elections are a tricky business at the best of times, let alone in modern France – a nation of 246 varieties of cheese, as De Gaulle despaired. But, not to worry: cometh the hour, cometh the podcasters.

On Sunday the exit poll dropped, showing that Marine Le Pen’s party were predicted to come third behind the New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing alliance, with Emmanuel Macron’s centrists in second place. Among those quick out of the gates with their searing hot takes was Denis MacShane, the disgraced former Europe minister. He wrote on Twitter/X:

Macron’s gamble appears to have paid off. French citizens have turned out massively and inflicted major defeat on Marine Le Pen which BBC and British commentariat kept saying was coasting to big win.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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