Public and Pundits Agree: President Macron Wins on Substance, Le Pen Maintains Composure
Emmanuel Macron has been deemed the winner in the high-stakes TV debate with Marine Le Pen ahead of France’s presidential election, with most observers agreeing that Macron prevailed on substance while Le Pen remained calm in style. The debate, a rematch of their 2017 showdown, saw Macron adopt a strategic approach, likened by some to a “boa constrictor” slowly tightening his grip on Le Pen.
While Le Pen kept her composure and avoided the aggression that defined their previous encounter, she struggled at times to deliver convincing arguments. The far-right leader’s party allies, however, accused Macron of throwing insults and belittling his opponent, with Jordan Bardella, head of the National Rally, calling Macron the “number one public insult thrower.”
Meanwhile, Macron’s supporters, including Europe Minister Clément Beaune, accused Le Pen of secretly planning a “Frexit” and undermining France’s position in the European Union. Despite Le Pen’s efforts to defend her stance, it was clear that her vision for France lacked coherence in comparison to Macron’s more solid proposals.
