Macron accuses Le Pen of dependence on Russia

Paris The only TV debate of the presidential election campaign between incumbent Emmanuel Macron and challenger Marine Le Pen lasted almost three hours. that Macron had prepared for her in 2017. Your appearance at the time was judged to be aggressive and poorly prepared in the economic field. Everything is at stake for both of them: According to the latest polls, Le Pen will have 44 percent in the runoff next Sunday, and Macron 56 percent.

The two opponents argued about taxes, economic policy, Europe, the environment, security and immigration. Macron’s tactics: he aimed to portray Le Pen as a candidate acting against the values ​​of France’s democratic society and Europe. He also tried to expose her as incompetent.

In the duel with Macron in 2017, Le Pen went on the offensive and lost points as a result. In polls it was 41 percent before, but in the runoff election it only reached 33.9 percent. This time she was almost defensive.

The first impression of the media and political experts in France after the debate: the mood was less tense than in 2017, less aggressive. Le Pen remained calm, while Macron seemed almost annoyed and arrogant at times. Often he didn’t even look at his interlocutor. That could hurt him as it confirms criticism from many French people who perceive him as aloof.

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Le Pen, on the other hand, was almost overwhelmed by Macron’s argumentation technique and his self-confidence, it said. Instead of addressing the criticism of him in France, she tried to represent her issues – a strategic error.

After the debate, two out of three viewers thought Macron was the more convincing candidate, according to a survey by the Elabe Institute.

France’s purchasing power, the Ukraine war and the energy supply

The first topic was the lack of purchasing power of the French, a topic that has been present in the country for months. She had seen the French suffer, Le Pen began. She emphasized that she did not want to issue anti-inflation checks like Macron, but instead wanted to lower VAT on gas, oil and electricity.

Macron emphasized that crises had been experienced. Many lived in fear. “I want to make our country more independent,” he said. His strategy: France will become stronger if it is ecological. He wants to block electricity prices as long as the crisis is current. “That does more than reduce VAT.”

Then Macron looked back at his achievements in office, such as reducing unemployment and increasing pensions. “I will raise the minimum pension to 1100 euros, they only to 1000 euros,” he emphasized. Social benefits should also be increased with him.

After a quarter of an hour the attack began. Le Pen wants to raise employee wages by 10 percent. Macron disparagingly: “You will not pay the salaries.” Le Pen counters: Energy prices have increased because neighboring countries, including Germany, have made mistakes in energy policy. “I want to return this money to the French.” The measures proposed by Macron would not have a strong impact, she stressed. Instead, she wants to get out of the European energy market.

After that, the discussion turned to the Ukraine war. “We are experiencing difficult moments,” explained Macron. “The role of France and Europe is to support Ukraine.” This line must be maintained so that the war does not escalate. “That’s why a strong Europe is necessary.” Le Pen emphasized that Macron’s path was the right one. A problem for them are some sanctions. “I do not agree with the blockade of Russian gas and oil.” That would hurt French citizens and businesses more than Russia.

Marine Le Pen and Vladimir Putin 2017

Although Le Pen condemns the war in Ukraine, she has attracted attention in the past for her closeness to Putin.

(Photo: AP)

Macron accused Le Pen of depending on Russian power. You got loans from Russia. Le Pen then got louder and replied that she was a “totally free woman” and had no loans in France. Macron, however, insisted: “Many decisions result from this.” Le Pen only said defensively: “That’s wrong.”

Macron calls for a stronger Europe

Then there was Europe. Macron accused Le Pen of wanting to exit the EU but refused to admit it. The German-French unity supported Europe. “We need a stronger Europe,” he said. “This requires a strong Franco-German couple.”

Le Pen countered that the President wanted to replace French sovereignty with European sovereignty: “Why does France never manage to defend its interests?” she asked. Germany was in a position to do that, she just wanted to put French interests first. The sovereign nations must be respected by the EU. She wants to reform the EU, not get out of it.

“I’ve been fighting to defend Europe for five years,” Macron replied. Le Pen lies about the essential things. Le Pen hit back sharply and replied: “I wish the French had jobs in their own country.” Macron accused her of wanting to favor the French in jobs and social security contributions. That creates problems for the French in Europe. Those who are against Europe could also create difficult digital European giants, as Le Pen had suggested.

65 years is not a dogma. Emmanuel Macron

On the subject of pensions, Le Pen called for a reduction to 60 to 62 years: “Retirement at 65 is an injustice,” she said. Most citizens would then no longer be active anyway. No one manages to work until that age and thus have a full pension entitlement.

Macron, on the other hand, spoke out in favor of retiring at 65 and emphasized that a lot of progress had to be financed, but he did not want to raise taxes or incur debt for it: “There is only one way to finance it: work more.” He wants to do that every year Increase retirement age by four months.

More on the elections in France:

During the discussion about the climate, Macron called his competitor “climate skeptical” because she wants to reduce VAT on energy. On the other hand, he wants to invest and renovate apartments under energy criteria. Le Pen defended that she was not climate skeptical and in turn accused Macron of shutting down nuclear plants that were still running well. She wants to dismantle wind farms and stop investing in renewable energies, which is too expensive. Instead, they rely entirely on nuclear power. Macron also relies on nuclear power, but also on renewable energies.

France

France’s incumbent Emmanuel Macron and his challenger Marine Le Pen in the TV duel before the presidential election

(Photo: AP)

As a last point of discussion, the conversation was directed to internal security in the country. Le Pen stressed that security in the country was an issue. Strong answers are needed: “First of all, you have to stop the anarchy of immigration.” Immigration policy must be radically changed. The criminals should be sent back to their countries of origin and sentences should really be served in France,” she emphasized. The police also need to be strengthened. Macron defended himself that he had created 10,000 new police posts during his mandate and that crime had decreased.

“The election is also a referendum on Europe.”

Le Pen stressed that she wanted to fight Islamism and close radical mosques, but not wage war on Muslim religion. They are planning a referendum on immigration. Asylum seekers should also submit their application abroad and not in France.

Macron replied that if veiling was banned in public, as she plans to do, civil war would ensue. This is not an appropriate measure against radical Islamism. On the subject of immigration, he proposed a Schengen reform and better security for Europe’s external borders.

In conclusion, Macron said to Le Pen: “I am fighting your ideas and your party.” There are differences: “The election is also a referendum on Europe”. Le Pen emphasized: “I want to turn to the French people.” They have suffered in five years and experienced restrictions on freedom. She wants to defend the social system, the “soul of France”, the values ​​and language.

More: Duel for France: This is how Macron and Le Pen want to mobilize

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