Key facts
- Seven French presidential candidates participated in their first debate ahead of the upcoming election.
- The debate highlighted significant disagreements among candidates regarding European Union policy.
- Marine Le Pen presented her economic platform, which includes spending cuts and a proposal to lower the minimum retirement age.
- Candidates acknowledged France's substantial public debt but offered divergent solutions.
- No single candidate was identified as a clear winner of the debate.
Seven French presidential contenders participated in their first debate ahead of next year's election, held at Roland-Garros in Paris. The event, organized by the employers' lobby MEDEF, saw candidates spar on issues affecting French industry, with no clear winner emerging.
Divisions on European Union policy were evident. Edouard Philippe criticized a trade deal with the U.S. and supported an EU capital markets union, while Raphaël Glucksmann called for a more strategically autonomous Europe. Jean-Luc Mélenchon argued the EU's focus on free trade hinders its global strength and stated France would disobey EU trade rules if elected. Marine Le Pen proposed reducing France's contribution to the EU budget by €5 billion.
Marine Le Pen's economic platform was a focus, with questions about whether her party would adopt more business-friendly policies. Despite speculation, Le Pen largely adhered to her established policies, including pledges for €125 billion in savings through spending cuts and a plan to lower the minimum retirement age to 62. Gabriel Attal commented on this shift away from a pro-business line.
All candidates acknowledged France's public debt exceeding €3.5 trillion, but proposed different solutions. Mélenchon suggested waiving interest payments on debt held by the European Central Bank, while others focused on cutting welfare spending or adhering to fiscal rules. Philippe and Attal positioned themselves as fiscal conservatives, facing criticism for increased debt under President Macron.
The debate's disjointed format, with seven candidates and lengthy responses, made it difficult to identify a clear victor. Bruno Retailleau presented himself as a pro-business, small-government conservative. The proposals from the more left-leaning candidates, Mélenchon and Marine Tondelier, received less attention from the business-oriented audience. With eight months remaining until the election, the race is considered wide open.