The latest debate between the main candidates in Sunday’s French legislative elections does not appear to have changed voting intentions, with the far right leading in the polls, but it has provided clarity on positions on Ukraine, a central topic of debate. Olivier Faure, general secretary of the Socialist Party and candidate of the New Popular Front, set the limits of French support, not without first criticizing Macron. “When the president proposed sending troops to Ukraine, he split the Europeans,” he said, adding, however, that he would not oppose supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles to strike Russian soil. Gabriel Attal, prime minister and representative of Macron’s Renaissance party, once again defended the president’s positions. “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 to participate in the war. He is on the side of Kyiv, but confirmed that he will do everything to avoid escalation with Russia, a “nuclear power”. However, the most controversial statement came before the debate, coming from the voice of Marine Le Pen. Money to support Ukraine depends on the government, not the president.
Jordan Bardella
He is 28 years old, studied geography but left to devote himself to politics. At 23, he topped the RN list.
Gabriel Attal
At the age of 34, he swapped the education portfolio for the post of prime minister, becoming France’s youngest prime minister ever.
Olivier Faure
He entered politics early, at the age of 16, when he joined the Socialist Party. He is 55 years old, has a law degree and was an adviser to Hollande.