Sebastian Budgen

Join Sebastian Budgen, an expert on French politics and editor at Verso Books, as he dives into the recent upheaval in France following the fall of Prime Minister Bayrou's government. He discusses the vibrant 'Block Everything' movement uniting unions and activists against Macron's austerity measures. Meanwhile, Joe Allen, a former Teamster, sheds light on the complexities within the Teamsters Union and the implications of a near-strike at UPS, exploring how political ties influence modern labor dynamics in the U.S.

Sebastian Budgen, senior editor at Verso Books and commentator on French politics. He unpacks the New Popular Front’s surprise parliamentary win. He explains La France Insoumise’s role in coalition gains and its unconventional, ‘gaseous’ organization. He assesses party splits, strategic deals by Socialists, and how LFI’s programmatic approach differs from other European left movements.

Political analyst Sebastian Budgen discusses the historic results of elections in France, where the left united to defeat the far right. The surprise victory of a moderate reformer in Iran signals a desire for change. Topics include strategic voting, forming alliances, social reforms, economic improvement, and geopolitics.