Thread by @GeorginaEWright

Macron and Le Pen debate has begun. First impression: Le Pen looks more at ease and uses the empathy card “I have listened, I know what French citizens want..”. #GrandDebat

Macron responds. He says he shares her concerns, runs through what he has done during his mandate and what he plans to do in the future. He also points to gov initiatives designed to help French citizens - which, he says, Le Pen and her MPs opposed.

First EU 🇪🇺 mention. Le Pen says she will take France out of the EU’s electricity market.

I fear both Macron and Le Pen have already lost their viewers. Lots of numbers, statistics..

Macron probably won that part of the debate. Was strong on salaries, VAT. Responded to Le Pen’s proposals and broke them down, highlighting inconsistencies. Le Pen remained calm. On to foreign policy..

Ukraine: Le Pen expresses solidarity with Ukraine & says she supports financial, humanitarian& material support to Ukraine(btw different position to what she’s said so far). Macron points that this is an entirely different position to the one held by her party & MEPs (he’s right)

🥁The question we’ve (ok I) have all been waiting for: should France remain a member of the EU? Macron “we need a deep (“intégré”) and strong EU”. Also mentions several times importance of Franco-German relationship.

Le Pen: takes a while to answer question but ends by saying she’s doesn’t want to leave the EU. She talks about problems of EU FTAs; says Commission has to respect member states’ sovereignty (?).

Macron responds to each of Le Pen's proposals for EU. He talks about what he has done over past 5 years (he's right, France has done a lot). But he doesn't go into what he'd do differently in next 5.

We've now moved onto Africa - but journalists interrupt them. We're now talking about retirement age.

[I'm sorry, I just can't tweet about pensions and retirement].

I'm not entirely clear who Macron and Le Pen are trying to convince: the French electorate or each other...

We're onto healthcare. Not clear I'll tweet on this either (sorry @Millet_Laure 😬)

On climate/environment: Le Pen talks about trade. Says trade (based on large amounts of imports) is terrible for the environment; talks about relocating production in France; and supports greater animal welfare. Criticises Macron for his "punitive" climate action.

On climate/environment: Macron wants to go twice as fast on decreasing GHG emissions (wd be a priority for next gov); recalls climate action over past 5 yrs. Calls Le Pen a "climate sceptic" - she responds by saying Macron is a "climate hypocrite"

On climate/environment: Le Pen criticises Macron for not investing enough in nuclear, and too much in wind power (which she considers ridiculous).

On climate/environment: Macron talks about what he has done and what he *will* do. Says he will invest in renewables. Continue to support nuclear etc. He also takes her programme (which he has highlighted) and points to some inconsistencies.

On digital: Le Pen says EU 'does anything and everything' but has done v little to support EU digital companies. (Quite a risky challenge: France under Macron has done more to reform EU's digital market: from investment, to regulation, to data, to tackling unfair competition)

Onto education. (Yes they did speak about industry, but lots of interruption).

Onto (internal) security - big concern for the French. MLP talks about crime/delinquency and then immigration. Says situation is "really quite bad"; French are "surrounded by insecurity". Must stop "immigration flows" which are "massive and anarchic".

Internal security: Le Pen adds "We need order": rearm police, trust police. Suggests need for harder sentences.

Internal security: Macron says he takes security seriously. Created 10,000 new positions for gendarmerie. Petty crime is there but has decreased. In addition, wants to tackle feminicide; cyber crime; justice system reform.

Le Pen and Macron have been at it for 2h20 minutes....

They are still going. And I'm growing tired of tweeting..

It’s a wrap. Close to 3h of debate. So what did we learn? 5 things #granddebat

1. Le Pen looked more polished than in 2017 - and kept calm. Focused on her promises, rather than attacking Macron like she did last time. Played empathy card “I know what French citizens want”.

2. But Le Pen lacked precision: her proposals often lacked detail, which gave Macron a chance to break them down/criticise. She also missed opportunities to criticise his mandate.

3. Macron has a big brain - lots of numbers, statistics. Confident in what he has accomplished & criticised Le Pen’s programme, not Le Pen herself. Played accomplishment card.

4. But Macron didn’t speak as much about his future mandate: we got glimpses but still some questions on what he wd do differently given a chance. Also interrupted a bit.

5. Crucially, unclear whether debate will have changed minds of undecided.Those who find Macron arrogant may not have always appreciated his tone. Those who criticise Le Pen for extreme views may not have been reassured either. High levels of abstention possible. END (bonne nuit)