Macron’s attack: “Le Pen’s interests linked to Russia”

Again you must have both said. Not that it was a surprise. The first round of the French elections ended like five years ago and like five years ago Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen they face the ballot on Sunday for the French presidency and they met on Wednesday evening in the latest debate, the face to face tv which is a key event on the eve of the second round.

The incumbent president had more votes in the first round than the representative of the National Rassemblement, but not enough to assure him an easy win per second as happened in May 5 years ago. Above all, the votes that come from the left, those of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He urged Le Pen not to vote, but many could abstain.

According to Ispi Research Director, Antonio Villafranca, interviewed by LaPresse, the debate will not move “the votes by a lot”. Some certainly did and both candidates tried to grab them. Macron appeared more prepared, but also more rigid, suit and tie included. Le Pen closer to the people and too many times interrupted. He is always ready to point out the opponent’s faults, she simpler. He the numbers, while trying to avoid the professorial tone, she the slogans and the reality of many French people met. In politics it would take a little of all these things together.

“We have been through a very difficult period, an unprecedented crisis, a pandemic. And today the war has returned to European soil. We are living in a time when fear and worries are there. I’ve been trying to make good decisions during this time. I want to keep doing it for make France more independent and stronger. To improve the daily life of our fellow citizens, “said the president.

Le Pen responded immediately according to the face-to-face system that sees the candidates framed in turns and with equal times. “I have seen the people of France suffer and worry. If I have the honor of being elected I will be the president of the democratic renaissanceor, of the rediscovered harmony and of the national fraternity ».

The themes are Europe, war and economy, not separate from each other. Marine Le Pen said she did not want to leave the EU, but “change it from within to create a Europe of free and cooperative nations”. Macron retorted: “You always want to leave the EU but don’t say it anymore”.

The right-wing representative has promised she will return “Between 150 and 200 euros more per month” a large French family. “In these five years, the purchasing power of the French has increased but I agree with you, with a price increase like the current ones, it is difficult for some people to make ends meet. This is why in the face of the surge in energy prices, we have decided to put in a tariff shield that is much more effective than the drop in VAT as you have suggested », Macron replied.

And so for every topic. The president is to «support Kiev». Le Pen said: “The only sanction I disagree with is the blocking of Russian oil and gas imports“. You recognized Macron’s efforts for peace. He did not forget to remember the link between the National Rassemblement and Russia. Marine Le Pen was one of the first leaders to recognize the referendum on the annexation of Crimea and she received a € 9 million loan from a Czech-Russian bank. “You depend on Russian power and Putin”Macron says. “I am a free woman,” Le Pen replies. And the word goes to the polls.

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