Emmanuel Macron and Marin Le Pen clashed over the EU
Emmanuel Macron and Marin Le Pen clashed over the far-right leader’s ties to Russia in a live televised debate ahead of the upcoming election.
The incumbent said Ms Le Pen was “dependent on Putin” and called Russia her “banker” as he began fierce criticism of a 2014 Russian bank loan.
The far-right candidate insisted that her independence was not compromised.
Bookmakers predict a victory for Mr Macron, the centrist current president, in Sunday’s election, with his lead over his far-right contender rising in recent days.
Key points
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Anti-Muslim policy
One of the presenters has now asked publicly about Muslim headscarves.
Marin Le Pen says there is an “extremely present” risk of terrorism and says he wants to fight “Islamist ideology”.
The presenter says that she has not answered the question about the headscarves, to which she answers that she wants to ban them in public places.
Emmanuel Macron says such a law would be a “betrayal” of the French spirit and speaks passionately about freedom.
He also confuses her by “confusing things” by mixing Muslim headscarves and radical Islamism.
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 10:28 PM
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More key quotes from the debate
Climate and energy
“There is no way out of fossil fuels, which rely solely on nuclear fuels. Your strategy is not applicable. “
“Although we have energy needs today, you are not telling me how we will manage to go beyond fossil fuels, how we will reduce our dependence on Russian gas.
“I am by no means a supporter of climate change. But you are something of a climate hypocrite.
“Free trade is killing the planet.”
“You have completely changed your melody about nuclear energy … We lost 10 years destabilizing the nuclear industry, which had to be strengthened to make this carbon-free energy source back at the heart of our energy mix.”
Retirement and retirement age
“I don’t want to increase my taxes, I don’t want to increase my debt, I even want to start paying it off in the next five years. So I want to work harder, the pillar of which would be to reduce the legal retirement age by four months a year until we reach 65 in 2031.
“Anyone who had their first suitable job before the age of 20 will be able to retire at 60.”
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 10:15 p.m.
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Hydrogen collision
The two collided over hydrogen. Marin Le Pen says he wants to make “green hydrogen” out of nuclear.
Emmanuel Macron says the country’s nuclear capacity is not for that. He also tells her that hydrogen itself is “not a source of energy.”
Some scoff at Ms. Le Pen’s idea on social media:
“Honestly, she had to answer ‘how do you make hydrogen?’ With ‘soak it in oil, soak it in water,’ she would almost seem more competent.”
As well as the exchange between the two on hydrogen:
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:51 PM
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The debate turned out to be hotter than expected
It is speculated that the debate could be relatively boring, with both candidates wanting to give a solid – not a combative – performance.
But so far it has been quite heated, with the candidates accusing the other of making a mistake and interrupting each other.
“Are you kidding or what?” Emmanuel Macron had just said that when Marine Le Pen was talking about energy.
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:44 PM
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Energy
Emmanuel Macron says the only way to tackle the climate crisis is nuclear and renewable energy together.
“We should not make the mistakes of the past,” he said.
Marin Le Pen promised to insist on nuclear, but to refuse subsidies for solar and wind energy.
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:39 PM
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Environment
We are now on the environment – they are both exchanging blows.
Emmanuel Macron calls Marine Le Pen a “climate skeptic.” The far-right candidate calls the president a “climate hypocrite.”
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:32 p.m.
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Macron’s retirement plans are an “injustice” – Le Pen
The two candidates also clashed over retirement age, which was a much-discussed topic during the election.
Emmanuel Macron wants to increase it to 65, which Marin Le Pen called “injustice.”
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:26 PM
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What is the Russian loan that the applicants faced?
Marin Le Pen received a loan from a Russian bank in 2014 before running for president in 2017.
Earlier in the day, the Russian opposition leader called on French voters to support Emmanuel Macron as he discussed 9m euros from the First Czech Russian Bank, which is believed to have ties to the Kremlin.
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 9:13 PM
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Key quotes so far
Here is a brief description of some of the key quotes so far:
Cost of living:
Le Pen: “I’ve seen people suffer, I’ve seen them worry, worry about their quality of life, about some kind of insecurity that they feel is widespread.”
“I studied your program. There is not even the word unemployment. “
Russia
Le Pen: “The only sanctions I do not agree with are blocking the import of Russian oil and gas. Why do I disagree? Because, in fact, this will not harm Russia and will cause great harm to our people.
Macron on Le Pen’s ties to Russia: “You are dependent on the government, you are dependent on Putin. You took a loan from a Russian bank.
Europe
Macron: “Five years ago, your program was only applicable if France left the euro. You still want to get out of it today, but you don’t say it anymore. “
“I want the European Commission to respect the sovereign nations, to respect the choice of the French people, including their choice of society.
“I want to change this European organization. But I don’t want to leave him. “
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 8:59 PM
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Jobs for French
Marine Le Pen: “My obsession is for the French to work in their own country.”
Emmanuel Macron says employers who prefer nationality would put an end to the European system. What would you say when a Frenchman wants to work elsewhere in Europe, he asks.
Zoe Tidman April 20, 2022 8:54 PM
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