In election campaign mode, Jeremy Corbyn is proving more competent and appealing than many had expected.
British prime minister Theresa May, meanwhile, is undermining her own message of strength and stability with a series of campaign missteps and unassured media performances.
But will it be enough to swing the election on Labour's favour? Not likely, says our London Editor Denis Staunton, on this week's World View podcast - but the post-election political landscape could look a lot different than envisaged by May when she called the snap election.
An overreaction
And Chancellor Angela Merkel's remarks about the future of Europe - that Europeans should no longer rely on traditional allies - have been criticised in some quarters as an overreaction to the black swan presidency of Donald Trump.
But with the stakes this high it is right for her to start this debate, says our Europe Editor Patrick Smyth.
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