Current French President Emmanuel Macron and right-wing populist National Rally leader Marine Le Pen met on the night of April 20 in the only televised debate three days before the decisive vote on April 24.
Ukraine became the number one subject even in the presidential election in France. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and oppositionist Marine Le Pen entered the second round of the race. In their only debate throughout the campaign, Ukraine became one of the central issues. The debate lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the candidates also discussed the rising cost of living, Russia, climate change and immigration.
An important part of the election career
The current debate is considered extremely important due to the large number of voters who have not yet decided on their choice. Although Macron has a relatively solid lead in the polls, more than 10% ahead of Le Pen, the fate of the presidency is far from certain, as more than 10% of French people have not yet decided who to vote for.
Macron and Le Pen last met in a televised debate five years ago, in 2017. Of these, the current president was the clear winner: most viewers felt that Le Pen looked unprepared and acted. too emotionally. This time, the leader of the National Association avoids the same mistake: his speech is more restrained and meaningful. However, during the discussion, he failed to confuse Macron, and the current president chose a more aggressive line of conduct.
In the center – Ukraine
The war between Russia and Ukraine became the most important topic of debate between Macron and Le Pen. Both politicians, however, have a long history of ties with the Kremlin.
Since February 24, when Russian troops entered Ukraine, Macron has strongly condemned Russia’s actions and supported a stern Western response, including arms sales in Kiev and economic sanctions. At the same time, he continued to conduct many hours of telephone conversations with President Vladimir Putin. To them, according to French sources, the leader of Russia told him for a long time about his vision on the history of the emergence of Russia and Ukraine.
Long considered Le Pen one of Putin’s main allies in Europe, he even justified Russia’s annexation to Crimea, arguing that “there is a referendum, the people of Crimea want to join Russia.”
Le Pen has been repeatedly accused of receiving funding from Moscow. “When you’re talking to Russia, you’re talking to your banker,” the incumbent replied to the debate. “This hope may explain many of your actions,” Macron argued.
The French President also recalled Le Pen’s statements about Crimea and asked why he considered it part of Russia. “Under international law, we don’t often recognize territories that have been annexed by force,” Macron said.
Le Pen condemned Russia’s actions against Ukraine. “The aggression that has victimized Ukraine is unacceptable,” Le Pen said, and advocated assistance to Kiev and for the West to accept Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, however, he warned that the supply of weapons to Ukraine could bring France into battle.
Last week, Le Pen said that after the Ukrainian war, NATO and Russia would be able to re -establish closer ties, which has caused much criticism in French society.
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Other questions
Le Pen said 70% of French have felt a decline in living standards over the past 5 years and “it’s time to give priority to the French” in their home country. Macron noted that since 2020 the economy has faced unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus epidemic, and now there is a new war in Europe, and he is managing the country through these trials and keeping it strong.
Marine Le Pen has softened his rhetoric on the EU and now says he favors change within the bloc, not France’s removal from it. Macron argued that his ideas about a Europe of countries would be the beginning of the end of the European Union and called Le Pen a “dealer”.
Le Pen promised to lower the VAT on energy and lower the tax for young people. Macron noted that the decision made on border prices was twice as effective than tax cuts.
Macron explained that France needs to gradually raise the retirement age to 65 years, Le Pen’s proponents maintain the current 62 years.
On the issue of faith and immigration, Marine Le Pen promised to organize a referendum on who should stay in France and who should leave, saying the large influx of immigrants into the country has created a sense of danger. . She also vowed to ban the wearing of the hijab in public places, arguing that women “should be freed from Islamist pressure.”
Le Pen, for his part, “defeated” Macron with a reminder of the “yellow vest” protests.
“The biggest problem after your 5-year term is you split the country. We must rebuild France and unite the people,” said the head of the National Association.
“Sunday’s vote was a referendum in Europe, in secularism, it was a moment of obvious choice,” Macron said.
Headquarters of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautiously expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron on the eve of the election.
“Although I don’t believe I have the right to influence what is happening in your country, I want to say that I have a relationship with Emmanuel Macron, and I don’t want to lose them,” the president said in an interview on a French television channel.
He added that Le Pen was wrong in his views on Russia and Ukraine.
“If Le Pen realizes he made a mistake, our relationship could change,” Zelensky said.
Source: korrespondent
