If Jordan Bardella refuses “polyphonic” debates with the main leaders of the European lists (like on April 10 on RFI and France 24), the RN candidate accepts duels. This Friday, April 12, on France Inter, he rubbed shoulders with the head of the socialist list, Raphaël Glucksmann, ranked third in the polls and whose dynamic brings him closer, every day, a little more to the presidential camp candidate, Valérie Hayer. It was in the interest of both candidates to cross swords.
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“ Do you think there is too much immigration in France? ? Because this is what a majority of French people express » says Jordan Bardella to his opponent. “ This question is completely beside the point. There are not too many immigrants in France », replies the person concerned. This Friday, April 12 in the morning, in the most listened to hour of France Inter, France’s leading radio station, the two men clearly display their differences. After 30 minutes of trading, neither is looking for a winner, because both actually made a good move.
Jordan Bardella, who is making these European elections the precursor to the 2027 presidential election, has the main objective of weakening the Macronist camp.
Raphaël Glucksmann, closer and closer to the Renaissance list in the polls, is looking for credibility within a disoriented left between Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Jordan Bardellacredited with a solid 30% voting intention, has little to lose. Raphaël Glucksmannmeasured Thursday in a poll (Ifop for Le Figaro) at 12.5%, against 18% for Valerie Hayerhas everything to gain.
See alsoEuropean elections: the big debate of the head of the list on RFI and France 24
Last media tour before speaking time counts down
There is the choice of opponent – the favorite against whom it is always good to appear as a bulwark – but also the choice of moment.
Raphaël Glucksmann had every interest in the debate taking place this morning. From Monday April 15, the speaking time of each candidate will be counted, according to precise criteria from Arcom, the French media regulator. Each party will then have a predefined speaking time established according to the polls, but also the scores achieved by the Socialist Party in the last presidential and legislative elections. With Anne Hidalgo’s 1.74% and the approximately 7% obtained by the rose party during these two elections, airtime risks significantly decreasing.
Thus, before the Monday deadline, Raphaël Glucksmann has planned another duel, Sunday April 14 in the evening on television, facing the right-wing candidate, François-Xavier Bellamy.
On the RN side, whose electoral past is more flattering – Marine Le Pen collected. 41.45% in the second round of the presidential election and his party up to 18.68% of the votes in the legislative elections – the constraint is not the same. Above all, you must try not to come across as a coward. Thus, Jordan Bardella has planned a face-to-face with his main opponent, Valérie Hayer, for May 2 only.
“ Give credibility to one adversary to weaken another », strategy chosen by others
This strategy of “ give credibility to one adversary to weaken another » is not just a card played by the far-right party.
In the presidential majority, Valérie Hayer made the same calculation last Monday. She debated with Marion Maréchal, Reconquest candidate, competitor of the National Rally. Here again, this responds to a strategic interest: if Eric Zemmour’s party progresses, it will be to the detriment of the RN. This is one of the great anxieties of the presidential camp: seeing Marine Le Pen’s troops very far ahead on the evening of June 9, the date of the elections. Another anxiety is now added: that of finishing third, behind Raphaël Glucksmann.
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