A model result: our French-election series begins

<p>In the first instalment of the series, we unveil our <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactives/france-2022?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">forecast model</a> and visit one of the quiet suburbs where the vote’s outcome will <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/01/29/macrons-path-to-re-election-runs-through-frances-outer-suburbs?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">probably be decided</a>. Debt has soared as borrowing costs stayed low; we examine who will foot the <a href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/the-global-interest-bill-is-about-to-jump/21807488?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">enormous interest bills</a> as rates rise. And the one place where marriages <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/01/29/why-some-saudi-couples-welcomed-the-pandemic?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">increased</a> in the pandemic era.&nbsp;</p><p>For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/priva