Now that summer is upon us, and many people are travelling abroad for holidays, there is much discussion about the role tourism plays in developing – or degrading – destinations. Advocates for the tourism industry claim it boosts local economies, while critics say it produces poor quality, precarious employment.

A recent Europe-wide study sheds light on whether mass tourism is to blame for low quality jobs, and its results seem to indicate that we need to pay less attention to the industry itself, and more to each country and its labour laws.

Last week, British and French citizens went to the polls to vote for their new parliaments. While left-wing parties won in both countries, the contexts and reasons for their victories are completely different, as are the short-term challenges each nation faces. The UK Labour party’s resounding victory has already allowed the country’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, to move into Downing Street, appoint his cabinet, and attend international events. In France, however, forming a government and making agreements in the National Assembly will require a little more time.

And in a special episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, reflecting on both the French and UK elections, we bring together an expert from each country to help analyse the results and consider what they tell us about the right in French and British politics.

Claudia Lorenzo Rubiera

Editor, Madrid

Tourism development doesn’t equal bad jobs – weak government protection does

Santiago Melián González, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Jacques Bulchand Gidumal, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Tourism is often blamed for precarious work, but governments play a huge part in ensuring job quality.

French elections: ‘Power will shift from the presidential palace to the National Assembly and the Senate’

Julien Robin, Université de Montréal

After the legislative dissolution decided by French president Emmanual Macron, the second round of the legislative elections reveals a political landscape turned upside down.

Xi and Putin talk up growth of their Eurasian bloc organisation as counterweight to Nato

Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham

The SCO has a bigger land area and population than Nato.

A 4,500-year-old collective tomb in France reveals its secret – the final stage in the formation of a ‘European genome’

Eva-Maria Geigl, Université Paris Cité; Oğuzhan Parasayan, Institut Pasteur; Thierry Grange, Université Paris Cité

A new study reveals the final stage in the formation of the European genome, which is still present in many people today.

Western movies: a 21st century renaissance

Ruth Gutiérrez Delgado, Universidad de Navarra; Alberto Fijo Cortés, Universidad Villanueva; Gema Pérez Herrera, Universidad de Valladolid

Modern directors are reimagining and paying homage to this classic, era-defining genre.

The people we like can influence the connections our memory makes

Ines Bramao, Lund University; Marius Boeltzig, University of Münster; Mikael Johansson, Lund University

This phenomenon can help us understand polarisation in society.

Starmer must seize the chance to rethink the UK-Europe relationship – here’s how he can do it

Nick Whittaker, University of Sussex

Migration and trade are two areas where Britain could have a leadership role in Europe.

5G doesn’t affect your health – here are 5 points to put your mind at ease

Alberto Nájera López, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

Our 25 years of scientific review shows that communications technology isn’t harmful to our health.