Incumbent and candidate French President Emmanuel attacked his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen for her ties with Russia during this election’s first second-round debate, as well as her plans to ban Muslim women from wearing the hijab.
In the television debate airing live this Wednesday night, Macron said that Le Pen’s plans to ban Muslim women in France from wearing headscarves in public “would trigger a civil war in the country,” as France “has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.”
Macron further criticized Le Pen for her links with Russia. “You depend on Russian power and you depend on Putin,” Macron said, adding that Le Pen’s pro-Russian sentiment is “reflected in her policy positions.”
Speaking of a loan taken out by Le Pen’s party in 2014 from a Russian-Czech bank, Macron added, that if her challenger wins the Sunday run-off, Le Pen’s hands would be tied when dealing with the Kremlin.
“You made a choice which, obviously, acted as a constraint on your political position and does not make you independent on that issue. That is a fact,” Macron said.
Le Pen, in return, described herself as “totally free.” She said her party is repaying the loan and called him “dishonest” for speaking about her ties with Russia.
Le Pen called Macron a “Mozart of Finance,” and pointed out that bringing down the cost of living would be her priority if elected as France’s first female president.
“Macron’s presidency has left the country deeply divided, following violent demonstrations against his economic policies,” she said.
15.6 million viewers watched the long head-to-head debate on Wednesday, during which both candidates expressed their positions on key issues.
59% of viewers said Macron was more convincing, according to a snap poll of 650 adults by French BFMTV, while 39% said Le Pen was more convincing.
Polls suggest that Macron, a pro-European centrist, has a growing and significant lead over Le Pen.
The first round of the 2022 French presidential election was held on 10 April 2022. A run-off will be held between Macron and Le Pen on 24 April 2022.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.