Down in the polls, Valérie Pécresse and Éric Zemmour clashed harshly on Thursday evening March 9, in a debate which sometimes turned into a cacophony, the candidate LR accusing of “ munich spirit » her adversary who in return accused her of saying « everything and its opposite “.
This debate, on TF1 and LCI, was eagerly awaited for the two contenders for the Élysée who are seeking to relaunch their campaign, paralyzed by the war in Ukraine, and who see themselves outdistanced by Marine Le Pen and especially Emmanuel Macron in the investigations of voting intentions.
But it was particularly disjointed from start to finish between the two rivals who kept interrupting each other, accusing each other of telling “ anything “and to make remarks” shabby ” Where ” pathetic “.
“Fascinated by the force”
To the point that journalist Ruth Elkrief finally let go, exasperated: “ We are not in a playground. »
” With this war in Ukraine, there is the Gaullist spirit: to defend freedom, democracy, to show humanity vis-à-vis all these refugees “Launched Ms. Pécresse, who accused her opponent of” to be defeatist ” and “fascinated by the force “.
How can Eric Zemmour mix Islam and Islamism? It’s a mistake ! I think of all our Muslim compatriots who have been victims of Islamism, it insults their memory. My position is very clear: all hate preachers should be in jail or on the plane. pic.twitter.com/x8cVcgx0PH
— Valerie Pécresse (@vpecresse) March 10, 2022
“ When you’re under Putin’s influence, you can’t call yourself a patriot, and that’s why Mr. Zemmour is discrediting you for leading France “, she added.
” The Gaullist tradition is precisely the rapprochement with Russia “, and “ you won’t pass me off as Vladimir Putin’s man “, replied Éric Zemmour in this debate often inaudible to voters, notes Julien Chavannefrom the political service of RFI.
“You will be a powerless president”
On the refugees, Ms. Pécresse accused her opponent of ” inhumanity » while Éric Zemmour was ironic: « Whenever there is a war, you will welcome migrants wherever they come from, you have to tell the French “, recalling the reception of Syrian refugees by the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
” Zero immigration, nobody does it, so you’ll be a helpless president “, assured Ms. Pécresse, defending her project of quotas and the end of automatic family reunification.
Moving away from the news to focus on Islam, the debate has, at times, turned into verbal fistfighting, in the mode ” You’re ridiculous – No, you’re the one who’s ridiculous », under the overwhelmed gaze of the journalists.
“I do not confuse Islamism and Islam”
Eric Zemmour has repeatedly accused his opponent of having ” says everything and its opposite “, while Valérie Pécresse accused him of” mix everything in his accusations of sympathy with Islamists. ” I reveal your double game in the eyes of the French “said Mr. Zemmour.
” What is your friendship with Tariq Ramadan ? replied Valérie Pécresse. ” I do not confuse Islamism with Islam. “, she added, recalling her charter of secularism and her plan to fight against radicalization in Île-de-France.
The two candidates briefly, and more calmly, addressed economic and environmental subjects at the end of the program.
