Erstellt am: 15. 5. 2012 - 15:11 Uhr

Can Hollande and Merkel work together?

Reality Check: Inauguration of Francois Hollande, transparency package, Rwanda genocide 18 years on, Palestinian hunger strike ends, the nervous breakdown of the American right.

As Francois Hollande officially takes up the French presidency, his first job is a trip to Germany to meet Angela Merkl and to discuss the Euro crisis.

Today is a very busy one for the new President of France. After a quick inauguration, he is being swept off to Berlin for his first diplomatic assignment in his new job, a face to face with the German Chancellor.

It's an eagerly anticipated meeting, as Merkel, the staunch supporter and advocate of austerity, meets Hollande, who wants growth and economic stimulation.

Economist Kurt Bayer looks at the challenges ahead and whether there is a compromise that satisfies both leaders.

Transparency Package

Eva Linsinger of Profil Magazine analyses the coalition's plans to improve transparency and and reform party funding.

Rwanda genocide 18 years on

Riem Higazi looks at the legacy of one of the world's worst genocides throught the eyes of one of the survivors, Esther Mujawayo. Esther Mujawayo is presenting her books on the subject this evening at Vienna's Hauptbücherei.

Palestinian hunger strike

1,500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails ended their hunger strike yesterday as Palestinians mark the anniversary of the founding of Israel, the day they call Al-Nakba - the catastrophe.

The nervous breakdown of the American right

Popularity vs populism, and the spooky scenario that if one were to sit Barack Obama and Mitt Romney down in a locked room, they would agree on just abour everything. These and many other topics come up when Mark Lilla talks to Joanna Bostock about his lecture on the state of the right wing in the United States.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.