hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are george eaton, senior editor of new statesman, and journalist and broadcaster caroline frost tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the front page of the financial times focuses on the french election. following the first round of voting, emmanuel macron and marine le pen will face each other in the second and final stage later this month.

the guardian writes that france faces a brutal two—week battle over the country's future after macron came out on top today. but the times reports that the election is "wide open" after polls suggested president macron is on course to win only by the slimmest of margins — 2%. back in the uk, the daily telegraph leads on the news that the chancellor has asked the prime minister for an independent review into his financial affairs following public questions over his transparency. the mirror meanwhile writes that, in a candid chat with nhs staff and patients, the queen said coronavirus left her exhausted. her majestry spoke of having covid in february and hailed britain s dunkirk spirit in the pandemic during a virtual tour of open a critical care unit her majesty she said it does leave one "tired and exhausted".

hello, both. george, french election on the front of a couple of the papers. we'll start with the guardian. take as a way, what are they going with? $5 guardian. take as a way, what are they going with?— they going with? as expected, its emmanuel macron _ they going with? as expected, its emmanuel macron and _ they going with? as expected, its emmanuel macron and marine - they going with? as expected, its emmanuel macron and marine le| they going with? as expected, its - emmanuel macron and marine le pen through to the second round. there was some speculation before the vote that marine le pen might win the first round. that would have been historic. actually, emmanuel macron has performed slightly better—than—expected, is vote share has risen four points since 2017, since the last presidential election, and he's benefited from the collapse of the traditional centre—left, the socialist party whose candidate anne hidalgo, the mayor of paris, onejust whose candidate anne hidalgo, the mayor of paris, one just 2% whose candidate anne hidalgo, the mayor of paris, onejust 2% in whose candidate anne hidalgo, the mayor of paris, one just 2% in the collapse of the centre—right whose candidate won just 5%. but it sets

up candidate won just 5%. but it sets up a very tense and charged contest for the second round. there are some polls showing marine le pen scoring as high as 49% in that round. the big question is, will voters rally behind emmanuel macron as they did last time when he won 66% of the vote? the key question is where supporters of the left—wing candidatejean—luc melenchon will candidate jean—luc melenchon will go. candidatejean—luc melenchon will go. he has urged his supporters not to vote for marine le pen, the far right candidate, but hasn't explicitly endorsed emmanuel macron. so a lot hinges on how many of them are prepared to back emmanuel macron even though he's not there candidate of choice. �* , ., even though he's not there candidate of choice. �*, ., ., even though he's not there candidate of choice. �* , ., ., ., of choice. let's go to the front .a . e of choice. let's go to the front -a~e of of choice. let's go to the front page of the — of choice. let's go to the front page of the financial- of choice. let's go to the front page of the financial times i of choice. let's go to the front i page of the financial times with of choice. let's go to the front - page of the financial times with the same story. caroline, talk us through what you are picking up, the headline is "marine le pen�*s late surge set to put her in election run—off with emmanuel macron."

run—off with emmanuel macron. " french run—off with emmanuel macron." french mainstream parties eclipsed. if you are a member of the french electorate — if you are a member of the french electorate this evening you cannot say that— electorate this evening you cannot say that you do not know who you are voting _ say that you do not know who you are voting for~ _ say that you do not know who you are voting for. these candidates are not alike, _ voting for. these candidates are not alike. they— voting for. these candidates are not alike, they represent different personalities, ideologies, positions on the _ personalities, ideologies, positions on the world stage. it really is where — on the world stage. it really is where you _ on the world stage. it really is where you want to put your dice so it's fascinating, a contest between these _ it's fascinating, a contest between these different ideas. i would describe _ these different ideas. i would describe it as marine le pen is playing — describe it as marine le pen is playing out of the trump playbook white _ playing out of the trump playbook while emmanuel macron has been walking _ while emmanuel macron has been walking around flexing his chest is effectively the european policeman in chief_ effectively the european policeman in chief on — effectively the european policeman in chief on the phone to president zeiensky, — in chief on the phone to president zelensky, leading the eu charge of support— zelensky, leading the eu charge of sopport in— zelensky, leading the eu charge of support in world affairs will stop meanwhile, marine le pen has tapped on the _ meanwhile, marine le pen has tapped on the doors of the french electorate asking about the rising

costs _ electorate asking about the rising costs of— electorate asking about the rising costs of life. all the stuff we had hack_ costs of life. all the stuff we had hack in _ costs of life. all the stuff we had back in 2016 when donald trump promised — back in 2016 when donald trump promised to look after all of those americans, she wants to look after all the _ americans, she wants to look after all the french in the same way. whether— all the french in the same way. whether the french will take her up on that— whether the french will take her up on that offer, we have to wait for a fortnight _ on that offer, we have to wait for a fortnight to — on that offer, we have to wait for a fortnight to find out. .this on that offer, we have to wait for a fortnight to find out. ._ fortnight to find out. . this idea there is two _ fortnight to find out. . this idea there is two weeks _ fortnight to find out. . this idea there is two weeks for - fortnight to find out. . this idea i there is two weeks for emmanuel macron to focus on the electorate, how do you see the next couple of weeks going? i how do you see the next couple of weeks going?— how do you see the next couple of weeks going? i think he has to do a lot of work— weeks going? i think he has to do a lot of work to _ weeks going? i think he has to do a lot of work to win _ weeks going? i think he has to do a lot of work to win over _ weeks going? i think he has to do a lot of work to win over sceptical - lot of work to win over sceptical voters. he may still be the favourite for re—election, but there is a lot of discontent in france, as in the uk. there is a living standards crisis and emmanuel macron has been a divisive president. there were the gilets jaunes protests which swept the country a few years ago, initially triggered by rising

fuel tax rates coincide with a cut in taxes for the wealthiest but became a demonstration of wider discontent with emmanuel macron's presidency i don't think he has healed that since. he had a brief surge in popularity at the start of the war in ukraine when there was a so—called rally around the flag effect also seen in other european countries, but support tailed off and that's why the election remains in the balance, which is quite remarkable.— remarkable. what are the consequences, _ remarkable. what are the consequences, do - remarkable. what are the consequences, do you - remarkable. what are the i consequences, do you think, remarkable. what are the - consequences, do you think, for remarkable. what are the _ consequences, do you think, for not just the uk but the rest of the world depending on which way the vote goes? if world depending on which way the vote noes? a world depending on which way the vote noes? n, ., , world depending on which way the vote noes? a, ., , ., vote goes? if marine le pen was to win or even — vote goes? if marine le pen was to win or even to _ vote goes? if marine le pen was to win or even to come _ vote goes? if marine le pen was to win or even to come close, - vote goes? if marine le pen was to win or even to come close, it - vote goes? if marine le pen was to| win or even to come close, it would send shock waves through europe. it's worth remembering that until russia invaded ukraine, marine le pen plans to feature photographs of

her shaking hands with vladimir putin on her election leaflets which gives you some idea of her stance on russia, and she is obvious the very eurosceptic and anti—immigration —— obviously. she would ban the veil in france so she would be a divisive president domestically and internationally.— president domestically and internationall. ., ., ., , ., internationally. caroline, a similar auestion internationally. caroline, a similar question to _ internationally. caroline, a similar question to you. _ internationally. caroline, a similar question to you, you _ internationally. caroline, a similar question to you, you are - internationally. caroline, a similar question to you, you are making l question to you, you are making international references to donald trump and election playbooks. what is interesting, and many people have, commented on it this evening, is the collapse of the traditional parties that have been around for ages that people would traditionally trot out and vote for, their level of support evaporated. you would think that in _ of support evaporated. you would think that in a _ of support evaporated. you would think that in a time _ of support evaporated. you would think that in a time of _ of support evaporated. you would think that in a time of such - of support evaporated. you would think that in a time of such chaos| think that in a time of such chaos you would — think that in a time of such chaos you would stick with what you know, especially _ you would stick with what you know, especially if — you would stick with what you know, especially if you are in the western edge _ especially if you are in the western edge of— especially if you are in the western edge of europe which feels

relatively stable compared with our unfortunate neighbours but she has said the _ unfortunate neighbours but she has said the right things on the domestic front. for marine le pen to be domestic front. for marine le pen to he securing — domestic front. for marine le pen to be securing her place in this contest. _ be securing her place in this contest, it really is this fortnight for her— contest, it really is this fortnight for her to— contest, it really is this fortnight for her to convince that she isn't so much — for her to convince that she isn't so much in — for her to convince that she isn't so much in the pocket of vladimir putin— so much in the pocket of vladimir putin that — so much in the pocket of vladimir putin that she may become a very unstable — putin that she may become a very unstable player in the negotiations going _ unstable player in the negotiations going forward. she may choose to play it _ going forward. she may choose to play it has — going forward. she may choose to play it has a positive card that she can he _ play it has a positive card that she can he a _ play it has a positive card that she can be a negotiator but she is going to have _ can be a negotiator but she is going to have to— can be a negotiator but she is going to have to make some convincing and emanuel— to have to make some convincing and emanuel micron will have to address domestic— emanuel micron will have to address domestic affairs that have not been passing _ domestic affairs that have not been passing his desk —— emmanuel macron. is passing his desk —— emmanuel macron. is the _ passing his desk —— emmanuel macron. is the traditional wisdom in france that when it comes down to the last two, a front is formed against the far right. what do you think of the state of play of that now? good question- _ state of play of that now? good question- i _ state of play of that now? good question. i think— state of play of that now? good question. i think the _ state of play of that now? good question. i think the so-calledl question. i think the so—called republican front is certainly weaker

thanit republican front is certainly weaker than it was. i don't think many expected emmanuel macron to win anything like the 66% of the vote he got last time and marine le pen has performed something of a detoxification campaign, trying to convince voters that her party has changed, that it has left behind the fascist baggage of the past, but i think there are enough french voters who will vote emmanuel macron whatever they think of his presidency but it could be close and it does pose the question of what the next french election would look like because at the moment, emmanuel macron's party is very much a vehicle for his leadership and he can't run next time, he is limited to two terms, so if that party falls in the absence of another emmanuel macron style leader, does marine le pen become the favourite next time

around? that question is very much open. around? that question is very much 0 en. , ~ ~' , around? that question is very much 0 en, , . ~' , ., open. interesting. we will keep an e e on open. interesting. we will keep an eye on this — open. interesting. we will keep an eye on this closely. _ open. interesting. we will keep an eye on this closely. let's - open. interesting. we will keep an eye on this closely. let's move - open. interesting. we will keep an eye on this closely. let's move on | eye on this closely. let's move on to ukraine. the front page of the financial times, the headline, their second story, ukraine urges global energy traders to stem the blood money feeding putin's war. caroline, can you talk us through what's going on? in can you talk us through what's going on? . «a can you talk us through what's going on? . ~' ., on? in recent weeks, the ukraine government— on? in recent weeks, the ukraine government have _ on? in recent weeks, the ukraine government have been _ on? in recent weeks, the ukrainej government have been extending requests — government have been extending requests to all world leaders to lend a — requests to all world leaders to lend a hand militarily, diplomatically, politically. this is a financial— diplomatically, politically. this is a financial instrument. they are now speaking _ a financial instrument. they are now speaking to— a financial instrument. they are now speaking to traders you would think are apolitical and aethical but

saying — are apolitical and aethical but saying anybody who is dealing with this energy and putting money into russia's_ this energy and putting money into russia's hands are effectively funding — russia's hands are effectively funding the war crimes and genocide they have _ funding the war crimes and genocide they have described so graphically, particularly in the last ten days. a week— particularly in the last ten days. a week ago. — particularly in the last ten days. a week ago, we saw those terrible pictures— week ago, we saw those terrible pictures coming out of bucha which seems _ pictures coming out of bucha which seems to— pictures coming out of bucha which seems to inspire a fresh wave of calls— seems to inspire a fresh wave of calls for— seems to inspire a fresh wave of calls for sanctions on the political front~ _ calls for sanctions on the political front~ it _ calls for sanctions on the political front. it will be whether these global— front. it will be whether these global energy traders, effectively they are — global energy traders, effectively they are asking everybody across the world _ they are asking everybody across the world to _ they are asking everybody across the world to choose a side and they are not leaving — world to choose a side and they are not leaving any of the financial traders — not leaving any of the financial traders out of that particular argument. do traders out of that particular argument-— traders out of that particular aruument. i. ,, , argument. do you think this call will be acted — argument. do you think this call will be acted upon? _ argument. do you think this call will be acted upon? one - argument. do you think this call will be acted upon? one would. argument. do you think this call - will be acted upon? one would hope so, the will be acted upon? one would hope so. the german _ will be acted upon? one would hope so, the german chancellor- will be acted upon? one would hope so, the german chancellor was - will be acted upon? one would hope so, the german chancellor was in i so, the german chancellor was in london on friday and when he held a press conference with borisjohnson he was challenged on this point

because germany has been paying tens of millions for russian energy, particularly gas, and he insisted his country had no alternative but to continue buying russian energy for the immediate future. so there is this juncture where on the one hand countries such as germany are providing military and economic support for ukraine but are indirectly subsidising russia and there this stunning figure of 850 million euros a day to the kremlin and i think it is europe has given around 30 million euros in energy compared to1 million around 30 million euros in energy compared to 1 million euros around 30 million euros in energy compared to1 million euros in around 30 million euros in energy compared to 1 million euros in aid to ukraine so it's a glaring contradiction. i think is more a massacres are uncovered and as the war continues, that will become ever

more uncomfortable for europe, particularly germany given its prominence. shill particularly germany given its prominence-— particularly germany given its prominence. all of this on the backdrop _ prominence. all of this on the backdrop of — prominence. all of this on the backdrop of this _ prominence. all of this on the backdrop of this impending i prominence. all of this on the i backdrop of this impending offensive in the donbas region in the east which for days now we have been watching and waiting and preparing for. , , , ., ., for. yes, six, seven weeks ago we had this feeling _ for. yes, six, seven weeks ago we had this feeling of _ for. yes, six, seven weeks ago we had this feeling of absolute - had this feeling of absolute impending doom, waking up to those headlines— impending doom, waking up to those headlines that russia had invaded. it headlines that russia had invaded. it was _ headlines that russia had invaded. it was the — headlines that russia had invaded. it was the least surprising but still shocking headline i know it's the same — still shocking headline i know it's the same feeling, we know that the uk government are making no secret of providing _ uk government are making no secret of providing armament and military support— of providing armament and military support to — of providing armament and military support to ukraine, borisjohnson has made — support to ukraine, borisjohnson has made a — support to ukraine, borisjohnson has made a flying secret visit and a huge _ has made a flying secret visit and a huge morale boosting show of solidarity and support over the weekend, but once again we are now waiting _ weekend, but once again we are now waiting for— weekend, but once again we are now waiting for the events of this week to unfold _ waiting for the events of this week to unfold and perhaps that will lead

to unfold and perhaps that will lead to calls _ to unfold and perhaps that will lead to calls of _ to unfold and perhaps that will lead to calls of more sanctions and help across— to calls of more sanctions and help across the — to calls of more sanctions and help across the world but for now we can only sit _ across the world but for now we can only sit and — across the world but for now we can only sit and watch.— only sit and watch. before we finish u - , only sit and watch. before we finish u, let's only sit and watch. before we finish op. let's go — only sit and watch. before we finish op. let's go to _ only sit and watch. before we finish op. let's go to the _ only sit and watch. before we finish up, let's go to the front _ only sit and watch. before we finish up, let's go to the front page i only sit and watch. before we finish up, let's go to the front page of i up, let's go to the front page of the daily mirror. the headline there is, queen: covid left me exhausted. the queen said she was very tired after getting the virus in the pandemic. what is the background for this? , , ,, ., , ., this? this is the queen and she had covid back in _ this? this is the queen and she had covid back in february. _ this? this is the queen and she had covid back in february. these i this? this is the queen and she had covid back in february. these are i covid back in february. these are the most stunning personal remarks she's made on having the virus. i'm sure there are many people who have had covid who will be able to relate to that. but what i think this is a reminder of is that obviously the queen being the head of state enjoys access to the best medical care on earth, she is very good health for a woman of 95 but before the vaccines,

that virus would have been even tougher but i think it's a tribute tougher but i think it's a tribute to the vaccines that people of that age can have covid now and emerge from it and be able to still live relatively normal lives. the queen, in her own way, is a sign of that success. , ,., in her own way, is a sign of that success. , , ., g; z: success. interesting point. in 30 seconds, caroline, _ success. interesting point. in 30 seconds, caroline, it's— success. interesting point. in 30 seconds, caroline, it's a - success. interesting point. in 30 i seconds, caroline, it's a relatively mild case it seems full stop many of us will have gone through it but it is very fascinating and intriguing when it is the queen. for is very fascinating and intriguing when it is the queen.— is very fascinating and intriguing when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two da s when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out _ when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out of— when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out of a — when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out of a negative - when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out of a negative test i when it is the queen. for sure. i'm two days out of a negative test and i can confirmed the exhaustion. it's a sign _ i can confirmed the exhaustion. it's a sign of— i can confirmed the exhaustion. it's a sign of how ill the queen was, how managed _ a sign of how ill the queen was, how managed the message was at the time and the _ managed the message was at the time and the fact she is able to speak about— and the fact she is able to speak about it — and the fact she is able to speak about it freely now means she is completely out of the woods and we can only _ completely out of the woods and we can only pay tribute to the vaccines that have _ can only pay tribute to the vaccines that have made all the difference to so many _ that have made all the difference to so many of — that have made all the difference to so many of us including her majesty.