In France, seven heads of the list of the main parties and a representative of the National Rally (Jordan Bardella having refused to participate in a debate which he considers premature) debated for the first time for the European campaign on television Thursday March 14. Among the major themes discussed was Ukraine.
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For the opponents of National gathering, the presence of Thierry Mariani was a godsend. The socialist Raphaël Glucksmann did not hesitate to recall the MEP’s assumed links with Moscow : “ I hesitated to come here as chairman of the Special Commission on Foreign Interference in the face of the Kremlin’s small telegraph operators. »
The ecologist Marie Toussaint also describes Thierry Mariani as Putin’s agent in Europe. The person concerned responds: “ My relations with Putin, excuse me, they are certainly less frequent than those of Mr. Macron. This mandate began with Mr. Macron’s reception of Mr. Putin at the Hall of Mirrors, and continued at his vacation spot. »
Five more debates between now and June 4
While his camp has been insisting for several weeks on the links between the RN and Russia, the head of the Renaissance list is stepping up and gaining ground. Valérie Hayer: “ If Russia wins tomorrow in Ukraine, Russia holds 80% of the world’s wheat stocks, I’ll let you imagine what it’s like in terms of impact from an energy point of view and from a food inflation point of view. »
Ukraine is a divisive subject on the left. Unlike the ecologists and socialists, the communist Léon Deffontaines and the rebellious Manon Aubry plead for limited support and oppose Kiev’s entry into NATO and the European Union, just like the far-right candidate Marion Maréchal . The conservative François-Xavier Bellamy is trying to exist, saying he is in favor of military support, but describing President Macron’s declarations on sending troops as irresponsible.
Five other debates are still planned between now and June 4 (the election takes place on the 9th). The next one will be on April 10 on RFI and France 24, in the presence of Jordan Bardella.