The latest debate between the main candidates in Sunday’s French legislative elections did not appear to change voting intentions, with the far-right leading in the polls, but it did clarify positions on Ukraine, a central issue in the debate. Olivier Faure, secretary general of the Socialist Party and candidate for the New Popular Front, set the limits of French support, not without first criticising Macron. “When the president proposed sending troops to Ukraine, he divided the Europeans,” he said, adding, however, that he would not object to Kyiv being supplied with long-range missiles to strike Russian soil. Gabriel Attal, the prime minister and a spokesman for Macron’s Rebirth party, once again defended the president’s position. “Putin does not set red lines. If we start by setting red lines for ourselves, we will be doing Ukraine a disservice,” he said. Bardella also does not want French troops involved in the war. He is on Kyiv’s side, but confirmed that he will do everything to avoid escalation with Russia, a “nuclear power.” But the most controversial statement came before the debate, from Marine Le Pen. The money to support Ukraine depends on the government, not the president.
Jordan Bardella
He is 28 years old, he studied geography, but left his studies to devote himself to politics. At 23, he topped the RN list.
Gabriel Attal
At the age of 34, he exchanged the education portfolio for the position of prime minister and became France’s youngest prime minister ever.
Olivier Faure
He entered politics early, at 16, when he joined the Socialist Party. He is 55, has a law degree and was an adviser to Hollande.
