DW talks to Elmar Brok, Head of the European Union elections observer mission to Zimbabwe

With the second round of voting in the French presidential election just days away, we explore the latest twists and turns in the campaign trail with Andrew Smith, a professor of contemporary French history at Chichester University. He unpicks President Emmanuel Macron's last-gasp bid to convince supporters of defeated leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon to vote for him, if only to keep the far right out of the Élysée Palace. We also discuss Marine Le Pen's pledge to ban the Muslim hijab in public. Smith tells us it's an attempt to fire up her base – but does it risk alienating more moderate voters?

Muyiwa Adeyemi, The Political Editor at The Guardian Nigeria speaks on the expectations from the APC NEC meeting towards the 2023 presidential primary and how the new National Executive Council members can solve the lingering crises of many State chapters of the party.

French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen faces the fight of her political life as she prepares for this Wednesday's TV duel with Emmanuel Macron. We take a look at coverage in the French press. We also see how the British tabloids are reacting to the latest developments in the "partygate" scandal involving Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

With three days to go before the second and final round of the French presidential election, it's time for our final show. We focus on the traditional highlight of the campaign: the fiery debate between the finalists. The incumbent was anxious not to appear condescending, while Marine Le Pen tried to reassure voters that she could be presidential. Our reporters followed both candidates on their last stops of the campaign trail. Plus, FRANCE 24's Karina Chabour explores what heartbroken left-wing voters might decide to do on Sunday.

Robert Golob and his liberal green party's shock win over three-time Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa in Sunday's parliamentary election signals a vote against increasing authoritarianism say, political analysts.

We look at the flurry of reactions from the US over the leaked draft majority opinion which plans to roll back abortion rights. Filipinos head to the polls next week in presidential elections which could see the return of the Marcos dynasty. Germany's Olaf Scholz trades barbs with Ukraine's ambassador to Germany after Kyiv 'uninvited' the German president. Finally, the future of cooking is here: a robochef which can offer advice on seasoning your dishes!

Former dictator's son Ferdinand Marcos Jr., also known as "Bongbong," is widely expected to defeat current Vice President Leni Robredo in the presidential race. Grenade attacks were reported at two polling booths.

Lebanon is electing a new parliament soon. Even though many people harbour hope for change, it won't be a walk in the park for the opposition. Traditional power structures remain deeply embedded.

The Marcos political dynasty is back in power in the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, has rebranded his family name and won the presidential election. Nonetheless his popularity comes as something of a surprise, as his father was ousted by a popular revolt 36 years ago. We take a closer look.

The Horn of Africa nation chooses its next president on Sunday amid tight security in the capital Mogadishu. The election is over a year behind schedule.

In a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD party, voters backed the conservatives, CDU, in an election Germany's most populous state. The Greens meanwhile more than doubled the number of votes they received.

Australia is counting down to its next federal election on May 21. The environmental crisis is high on voters' minds and smaller parties and independents are gaining momentum by riding a wave of disillusionment over the conservative coalition's lack of climate action. With a hung parliament looking likely, these minor players could force the traditional parties to do more to tackle global warming. Climate change is an increasingly hot-button issue since the country's devastating bushfires of 2019-20. Our correspondents Richelle Harrison Plesse and Gregory Plesse report.