France's Les Républicains face incredible challenges to "articulate some difference and find themselves a role" in such a volatile political landscape. All the while, Nicolas Sarkozy remains "a very influential player in the background of French politics, moving the chess pieces on the board for the centre-right." For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the major challenges that lie ahead for the LR, Sarkozy and the newly-appointed PM François Bayrou, FRANCE 24's Charli James welcomes Dr Andrew Smith, Historian of modern France and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London.