Macron accused Le Pen of making himself dependent on Russia. “They depend on Russian power and they depend on Mr. Putin,” Macron said. “They don’t talk to other leaders, they talk to their banker when they talk about Russia,” the liberal president continued. Macron was referring to a loan Le Pen took out from a Czech-Russian bank in 2014.
The politician defended herself by pointing out that French banks would not approve such financial aid. “Don’t you think that’s scandalous?” Le Pen replied, speaking of the banks’ democratic deficit. She also accused Macron of preventing her party from obtaining a loan in France in 2015 when she was a minister. The President replied that no one intervened at the time. He was also Minister of Economics, banks were not part of his area of responsibility.
Le Pen wants to terminate arms cooperation with Berlin
The 53-year-old has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a clear violation of international law. At the same time, she wants to work for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia if the Ukraine war is over and a peace treaty is signed. The right-wing candidate, who accuses Macron of “blindness towards Berlin”, wants to terminate the armaments cooperation with Germany.
Macron emphasized France’s anchoring in the European Union and made a commitment to Franco-German cooperation. “I believe in Europe and I believe in the Franco-German couple. I think it is the Franco-German couple that has enabled us to reach agreements.”
Le Pen said there is no European sovereignty because there is no European people. “I defend the Europe of nations.” She doesn’t want to leave the EU, if that were the case she would say so. Yours is about changes in the Union.
Controversy over retirement age
Earlier, Macron and Le Pen presented opposing proposals to boost purchasing power. At the start of the eagerly awaited only television debate before the runoff election on Sunday, Macron announced increases in pensions and the minimum wage as well as a cap on gas and electricity prices. It is also important to further reduce unemployment. Le Pen proposed lowering the value-added tax on energy and eliminating taxes on a hundred basic everyday products.
When it comes to pensions, a topic that has been the subject of repeated debates in France, Le Pen insisted on retiring at the age of 60 to 62. Anyone starting their career at the age of 16 to 20 should be able to retire at the age of 60, the other employees at the age of 62, as has been the case up to now. “Retirement at 65 is an absolute injustice,” Le Pen said of Macron’s plan for a higher retirement age.
Macron emphasized that a pension from the age of 65 should not apply to all employees, with the exception of people in particularly strenuous jobs. In view of the increased life expectancy, the pension system must be counter-financed.
Tried to be objective
At the start of the TV debate, Macron and Le Pen tried to have an objective, albeit critical, exchange. When the two sat opposite each other in a TV duel before the 2017 election, the discussion was characterized by insults and personal attacks.
Now Macron showed himself to be a listener who agreed with his opponent on some statements – but then tried to refute their conclusions or demands. Le Pen also focused on her opponent’s statements and presented herself as an advocate for the people.
Courting the favor of Melenchon voters
Both candidates are courting the voters of left-wing populist Jean-Luc Melenchon, who came third in the first round with just under 22 percent. He calls for “not voting for Le Pen” but refrains from supporting Macron. Melenchon is hoping for a good result for his movement La France Insoumise (Indomitable France) in June’s general election and has already put himself forward as prime minister.
France: The TV duel for the presidency
The French presidential election campaign culminates in a TV duel between incumbent Macron and challenger Le Pen. The polls before the discussion were tighter this time than they were five years ago.
For the last two days of the election campaign, Le Pen is planning several more visits to the north of the country, where she did well in the first round. Macron will conclude his election campaign in Nice in southern France. In surveys before the run-off election, the incumbent was clearly ahead in the voters’ favour. On average, he came up with 55.83 percent. This means that the race is less tight than polls had predicted prior to the first round of the presidential election.
At midnight on Friday, the political radio silence begins, during which neither the publication of polls nor interviews is allowed. The polling stations are open on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., in large cities also until 8 p.m. First projections will be published at 8 p.m.