The relationship with Russia and the different vision of Europe have been the main points of friction in the televised debate between the two candidates for the Presidency of France, the liberal Emmanuel Macron and the far-right Marine Le Pen.
Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen has held an electoral debate tonight that has lasted for almost three hours and that has probably been the last opportunity for the far-right candidate to try to reverse the trend that the polls of recent days indicate of an increase in the advantage in favor of the French president. The Second round of the presidential elections will be held this coming Sunday.
Relations with Russia and the different vision of Europe have been some of the most controversial issues. Thus, Le Pen has recognized the decisions taken by Macron regarding the war in Ukraine, although he has criticized the sanctions imposed on Russian oil and gas exports.
“The efforts he has made to try to find the means for peace on behalf of France deserve to be supported,” Le Pen acknowledged during the debate on the second round of the presidential elections, where he wanted to “be clear” about the support economic, humanitarian and military support measures for Ukraine.
However, and despite the fact that he has been in favor of the sanctions imposed on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, the far-right candidate has criticized “the blockade of Russian oil and gas imports” because he considers that “it is not the good method” to harm the interests of the Eurasian country.
“It is not what will harm Russia”, but “a lot of harm to the French people. This blockade will have catastrophic consequences not only for individuals but also for companies. You cannot do ‘harakiri’ in the hope of financially damaging Russia because it will sell its oil and gas to other countries,” Le Pen warned.
Finally, Le Pen has acknowledged her “fear” that Russia could form a hypothetical alliance with China through which an “economic, monetary and perhaps even military superpower” would be configured, which could constitute an “absolute danger for France, Europe and the world”.
In response, Macron ironically celebrated the candidate’s change of course regarding the positions of her party and its MEPs. “What he has said is contrary to his historical policies.”the president has accused.
Thus, the candidate of La República en Marcha recalled that Le Pen was “one of the first” to recognize the accession of Crimea by Russia in 2014. At this point, he stressed that international law does not recognize those territories annexed by the strength.
During his speech, Macron accused the National Rally candidate of having received financial credit for his training from a Russian bank close to President Putin. “This is bad news because you depend on Russian power and on Mr. Putin”lamented the current tenant of the Elysee.
In response, Le Pen has branded this accusation as “dishonest” because at that time -in 2015- Macron himself was Minister of Economy and, according to the candidate, it was he himself who vetoed her from benefiting from credits granted by banking entities. french
“(The accusations) are false and dishonest. No French bank wanted to give me a loan (…) You were finance minister at the time,” Le Pen criticized.
Future of the European Union
On the other hand, Macron has considered that Le Pen’s project would mean France leaving the European Union, although he has pointed out that now his rival does not say so clearly.
Faced with this, Macron has reiterated his confidence “in Europe and in the Franco-German axis” which, in his opinion, “will allow progress in European sovereignty” against other superpowers.
The far-right candidate has replied that “European sovereignty does not exist because there is no European citizenship”: “You want to replace French sovereignty with European sovereignty and that is why you put the European flag under the Arc de Triomphe”.
Le Pen has insisted on his idea of ”deeply” reforming the EU to turn it into an alliance of nations.
price increase
As for the loss of purchasing power of the French, Le Pen has argued for lower VAT on all energy sources “perennially” from 20 to 5.5%, and has said that between this and other measures it could increase the net income of households by an average of 150 to 200 euros.
The far-right leader has indicated that she would compensate for the decrease in income in the public coffers, which she estimated at around 12,000 million euros, with a cut in unnecessary expenses and that this would allow each household to earn between 150 and 200 euros per month.
The outgoing president has defended the measures already taken by his government to lock gas and electricity pricesbut has stressed that the VAT cut would promote the consumption of “fossil energy that must be imported”.
Macron has also questioned the sustainability of such a sharp drop in VAT and has criticized that it would benefit all French people, including those who are better off, while the measures adopted (such as the check for lower-income families) are focus on those most in need of support.
It has also considered that these measures are “twice as effective” than those promised by Le Pen which, in his opinion, would only serve to increase the margins of intermediaries and not reduce prices for consumers.
Source: Eitb
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