French Presidential candidates spar over economy, ethics
PARIS (AP) — French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is zeroing in on the heart of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, lambasting his management of the coronavirus crisis, cost-of-living problems and ethics controversies. The president, in turn, took swipes at her far-right platform and said she can’t unite French voters ahead of the election.
Le Pen, whom polls show increasingly close to Macron in the first round of voting, has spent recent days detailing her proposals for tackling France’s economic challenges, including currency issues. In a speech Thursday, she proposed scrapping the euro and bringing back the franc, which would weaken the currency and make French exports more competitive.
“I want to restore our national sovereignty over our currency,” Le Pen said Thursday. She also reiterated promises to lower taxes, push for a decrease in fuel prices and fight what she calls “uncontrolled immigration.”
Macron dismissed Le Pen’s proposal to ditch the euro as “nonsense.” He said Friday her plan for a currency transition would rattle markets and that her election would bring “total chaos” to France.
The two candidates locked horns in televised interviews Thursday night, clashing over issues ranging from energy to ethics. Macron criticized Le Pen’s plan to abolish income tax for workers earning less than 1,500 euros ($1,650) a month, saying it would benefit only “two groups: the very poor and the very rich.” Le Pen shot back by accusing Macron of pandering to corporate interests and criticized his ties to the business world.
During the debate, Macron boasted of France’s economic rebound from the pandemic, touting his government’s stimulus packages and labor market reforms. Le Pen argued that his reforms favored big companies over small businesses and workers.
Both candidates are looking to woo French voters disillusioned with establishment politicians and worried about the economic fallout from the pandemic. Macron has only just formally declared his bid for reelection, but opinion polls suggest he could face a tough challenge from Le Pen, who is seeking to appeal to working-class voters hit hard by the crisis.
Le Pen has concentrated her campaign on economic issues, seeking to paint Macron as a “president of the rich” who caters to big corporations and the wealthy. Macron, meanwhile, is expected to tout his record on security and foreign affairs, including his efforts to curb jihadist violence and his partnership with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on European policy.
As the two candidates trade barbs over policy and personality, they are also grappling with international issues. Macron has faced criticism for his handling of the pandemic and his ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Le Pen has lambasted Macron for his response to the crisis and his handling of relations with European Union leaders.