Live from Paris
| 18:06 UK time, Wednesday, 16 May 2007
It's Alex here, blogging the programme on air....
We're live from Paris at the Place des Vosges... Anu asks what's the mood been like today, as Nicholas Sarkozy takes over from Jacques Chirac? Are people hopeful or fearful? And as the new president promises to bring in reform ,what will it mean to be French?
Call us on +44 20 70 83 72 72 or post on the blog.
We go now to Pakistan: where does the crisis between the government and the judiciary go from here. It's supposed to be pretty simple: the judges say they're being deliberately undermined so General Musharraf can stay in power. But what do you think?
Peter talks to Farzana Shaik, an expert at Chatham House, currently in Princeton.
But first - breaking news- 30 journalists are trapped in a building in Gaza, caught in the crossfire between Hamas and Fatah gunmen. There's been fighting in the lobby and all the journalists are barricaded into a room on the 9th floor.
Our correspondent says people have been calling in tears asking people to stop the violence. Ironically, there is meant to be a ceasefire at the moment - the fourth ceasefire held in four days.
Back to Pakistan:
Is Musharaf getting it right or getting it wrong?
We speak to Jahangir in Lahore and Nadeem in Islamabad...
Farzana says that while the government claims that a large number of those who have disappeared belong to terrorist groups, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says that this isn't necessarily the case.
Shahryar in Oxford in the UK says Mr Choudry is in no way a victim, was corrupt, and was abusing his power. He agrees with the fact that he was removed for misuse of power.
Farzana says Mr Choudry is a symbol of wide disenchantment with the president's policies.
Mohammad in the UK says the removal of Judge Choudry was not according to the constitution of Pakistan.
Matthew from the USA emails:
"I am glad finally Chirac is out and the new President is in. A new day has dawned in French history. He will not be an anti-english, anti-American ( as was Chirac) and I wish him well."
Emile says:
"France has always voted for the devil she knows."
Nshom Ernest bah in Mbingo Cameroon emails:
"France believes in centralization. If the economy of Cameroon is down the drain today, it is thanks to the bad system of governance that the elitist ruling class, i.e the francophones of cameroon, inherited from france."
Hisham in France says:
"Sarko is almost the opposite image of Chirac: hyper-active, hyper-ambitious. Certainly a polarizing figure: either you love him or you hate him! Yes, he succeeded in convincing millions of French people to vote for him, and he certainly had some rather good ideas... but still, there are some worrying dark sides in his political program and in his personality that have to be clarified: integration of minority groups, this weird stuff about French "identity", immigration policies… and what about foreign policy; the middle east and Palestine. Are we gonna see France siding more with Israel and the US when it comes to that sensitive region of the world… Many questions that need urgent and clear answers!"
and we've got some texts...
Johnson in Nigeria says
"This is the first day Nicholas Sarkozy begins to break or keep his campaign promises to the French."
Mansour in Liberia says
"I am pleased with the new French leader. He is honest, intellectual and perfect."
Karo Umukoro from Nigeria says
"All that I'm worried about is whether Nicolas Sarkozy can improve the standard of living of African immigrants in France."
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