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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| French presidential candidates debate key election issues – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.32pm GMT | 11.32pm GMT |
| 23:32 | 23:32 |
| Conclusion | Conclusion |
| And that’s it; it’s over. Three hours and 20 minutes of debate. Very hard to say who came out on top. Here’s one succinct and trenchant view: | And that’s it; it’s over. Three hours and 20 minutes of debate. Very hard to say who came out on top. Here’s one succinct and trenchant view: |
| The debate in a nutshell: Fillon isn't dead, Macron needs to work on the gravitas thing, Le Pen fails to score, Mélenchon elbows Hamon out. | The debate in a nutshell: Fillon isn't dead, Macron needs to work on the gravitas thing, Le Pen fails to score, Mélenchon elbows Hamon out. |
| Our Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis will be filing her report shortly and the pundits will have their say tomorrow. | Our Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis will be filing her report shortly and the pundits will have their say tomorrow. |
| Le Pen came across as shouty and angry (and seriously flakey on the economy); Fillon mostly quiet but with a few strong moments, particularly on pensions and foreign policy; Macron enthusiastic, idealistic, passionate at times. | Le Pen came across as shouty and angry (and seriously flakey on the economy); Fillon mostly quiet but with a few strong moments, particularly on pensions and foreign policy; Macron enthusiastic, idealistic, passionate at times. |
| Conservative commentator Christophe Barbier reckons Le Pen did herself no favours: not presidential, too pugnacious: | Conservative commentator Christophe Barbier reckons Le Pen did herself no favours: not presidential, too pugnacious: |
| #LeGrandDébat Marine Le Pen à la fois faible en arguments et pugnace en invectives. Peu présidentielle, trop vindicative. | #LeGrandDébat Marine Le Pen à la fois faible en arguments et pugnace en invectives. Peu présidentielle, trop vindicative. |
| And Barbier gave the candidates these marks out of 20, conceding they weren’t very scientific: | And Barbier gave the candidates these marks out of 20, conceding they weren’t very scientific: |
| Fillon: 12/20; Hamon: 11/20; Mélenchon : 14/20; Macron: 14/20; Le Pen: 9/20. | Fillon: 12/20; Hamon: 11/20; Mélenchon : 14/20; Macron: 14/20; Le Pen: 9/20. |
| But all will have pleased their own voters, I imagine. The next few rounds of polls will show whether this evening’s debate made any difference. | But all will have pleased their own voters, I imagine. The next few rounds of polls will show whether this evening’s debate made any difference. |
| That’s it from me: good night! | That’s it from me: good night! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.47pm GMT | at 11.47pm GMT |
| 11.24pm GMT | 11.24pm GMT |
| 23:24 | 23:24 |
| Summing up | Summing up |
| Fillon: a real change of politics is needed and I’m the only candidate who can deliver it. I’m the only one who could have a stable majority to deliver it. I may have committed a few errors, who hasn’t. But I have experience, and the will to do this. | Fillon: a real change of politics is needed and I’m the only candidate who can deliver it. I’m the only one who could have a stable majority to deliver it. I may have committed a few errors, who hasn’t. But I have experience, and the will to do this. |
| Hamon: I’m offering you a vote that will be useful to you, your children, your grandchildren. You are used to voting against; I suggest you vote for: for the environment, for purchasing power for the poorest families; for a sixth republic; for a desirable future. | Hamon: I’m offering you a vote that will be useful to you, your children, your grandchildren. You are used to voting against; I suggest you vote for: for the environment, for purchasing power for the poorest families; for a sixth republic; for a desirable future. |
| Le Pen: Most of the promises you’ve heard tonight cannot be put into practice because the EU will prevent them. You, the French, have the right to decide. Uncontrolled globalisation has been a disaster for you. I will do nothing against your will. I will start negotiations with Europe, and I will organise a referendum. I call on you to vote for liberty. If you make the right political choices things will improve immediately. | Le Pen: Most of the promises you’ve heard tonight cannot be put into practice because the EU will prevent them. You, the French, have the right to decide. Uncontrolled globalisation has been a disaster for you. I will do nothing against your will. I will start negotiations with Europe, and I will organise a referendum. I call on you to vote for liberty. If you make the right political choices things will improve immediately. |
| Mélenchon: We cannot affront the threats the world faces with hands tied by money. I want to give the republic back to France by relieving it of this presidential monarchy. I am ready for this responsibility ... to put in place a programme that will upset lots of vested interests. | Mélenchon: We cannot affront the threats the world faces with hands tied by money. I want to give the republic back to France by relieving it of this presidential monarchy. I am ready for this responsibility ... to put in place a programme that will upset lots of vested interests. |
| Macron: Thank you for this debate. I want to reconcile opinions. Our country is divided, by fear, and by the way some people play on fear. You are not the problem – the problem is that the established order is not the right one. I propose pragmatism, with zero tolerance. My project is one that will make France proud. Profound change, that’s our project. It’s a profound renewal of French politics. I want France, our country, to offer a chance – a chance for each and every one of you. | Macron: Thank you for this debate. I want to reconcile opinions. Our country is divided, by fear, and by the way some people play on fear. You are not the problem – the problem is that the established order is not the right one. I propose pragmatism, with zero tolerance. My project is one that will make France proud. Profound change, that’s our project. It’s a profound renewal of French politics. I want France, our country, to offer a chance – a chance for each and every one of you. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.26pm GMT | at 11.26pm GMT |
| 11.12pm GMT | 11.12pm GMT |
| 23:12 | 23:12 |
| Terrorism | Terrorism |
| The debate has now been going on for more than three hours. | The debate has now been going on for more than three hours. |
| #LeGrandDebat has now become an endurance test. The last Presidential candidate to collapse on stage will triumph. | #LeGrandDebat has now become an endurance test. The last Presidential candidate to collapse on stage will triumph. |
| Le Pen says to avoid future terrorism attacks must be prevented by regaining control of France’s frontiers, expelling known militants, banning fundamentalist organisations, closing fundamentalist mosques ... | Le Pen says to avoid future terrorism attacks must be prevented by regaining control of France’s frontiers, expelling known militants, banning fundamentalist organisations, closing fundamentalist mosques ... |
| “We must give ourselves the means to wage this necessary war against Islamic fundamentalism,” she says. | “We must give ourselves the means to wage this necessary war against Islamic fundamentalism,” she says. |
| Fillon says the world faces a longterm war that will take a decade at least. It will need alliances with Russia, the Middle East and others, and in the meantime France must secure itself: deporting anyone who has a “proven relationship with the enemy”, stripping French nationality from anyone who takes up arms against his country. | Fillon says the world faces a longterm war that will take a decade at least. It will need alliances with Russia, the Middle East and others, and in the meantime France must secure itself: deporting anyone who has a “proven relationship with the enemy”, stripping French nationality from anyone who takes up arms against his country. |
| Macron says no one can guarantee no new attacks. “It needs responsibility, maturity.” A diplomatic solution in the Middle East; punishment for those who have fought against France; improving intelligence cooperation. | Macron says no one can guarantee no new attacks. “It needs responsibility, maturity.” A diplomatic solution in the Middle East; punishment for those who have fought against France; improving intelligence cooperation. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.14pm GMT | at 11.14pm GMT |
| 11.01pm GMT | 11.01pm GMT |
| 23:01 | 23:01 |
| Macron says he is the only candidate who has pledged to fulfil France’s responsibilities to Europe. He says the French people will give him a mandate to defend France’s economic independence and its security. | Macron says he is the only candidate who has pledged to fulfil France’s responsibilities to Europe. He says the French people will give him a mandate to defend France’s economic independence and its security. |
| He says France’s place is at the heart of Europe, working with Europe. Le Pen snorts. “You have said nothing,” Le Pen says. “You have talked for seven minutes and said nothing.” | He says France’s place is at the heart of Europe, working with Europe. Le Pen snorts. “You have said nothing,” Le Pen says. “You have talked for seven minutes and said nothing.” |
| Macron efficient by taking on Le Pen on foreign policy :"I want France's independence within Europe." #FrenchPresidentialDebate | Macron efficient by taking on Le Pen on foreign policy :"I want France's independence within Europe." #FrenchPresidentialDebate |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.02pm GMT | at 11.02pm GMT |
| 10.51pm GMT | 10.51pm GMT |
| 22:51 | 22:51 |
| France's place in the world | France's place in the world |
| The final stage of the debate: foreign policy. | The final stage of the debate: foreign policy. |
| Hamon says France should always be capable and willing to intervene militarily abroad in defence of international law. He says Trump and Russia’s ambitions have changed everything: less America (on the world stage) should lead to more Europe, he says. | Hamon says France should always be capable and willing to intervene militarily abroad in defence of international law. He says Trump and Russia’s ambitions have changed everything: less America (on the world stage) should lead to more Europe, he says. |
| Le Pen says no one should decide for France. “I don’t want to force our soldiers to fight in wars that we have not decided,” she says. The French army is in a parlous state, she says, and defence spending must be raised to 3% of GDP by the end of the next presidency. | Le Pen says no one should decide for France. “I don’t want to force our soldiers to fight in wars that we have not decided,” she says. The French army is in a parlous state, she says, and defence spending must be raised to 3% of GDP by the end of the next presidency. |
| Fillon says that’s ridiculous: completely unaffordable. | Fillon says that’s ridiculous: completely unaffordable. |
| Mélenchon says the world has become a dangerous place. He wants to be a president of peace, he says. No war, but negotiations ... | Mélenchon says the world has become a dangerous place. He wants to be a president of peace, he says. No war, but negotiations ... |
| 10.43pm GMT | 10.43pm GMT |
| 22:43 | 22:43 |
| Le Pen has spoken longer and louder than everyone else ... | Le Pen has spoken longer and louder than everyone else ... |
| Le Pen comes off as angry and incoherent, on health and pensions. But maybe it works for her electorate. #LeGrandDebat | Le Pen comes off as angry and incoherent, on health and pensions. But maybe it works for her electorate. #LeGrandDebat |
| 10.39pm GMT | 10.39pm GMT |
| 22:39 | 22:39 |
| Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Another lengthy and detailed discussion. | Another lengthy and detailed discussion. |
| Mélenchon says everyone should be reimbursed in full for all their healthcare expenses: “We know how to fund that, it’s not complicated.” | Mélenchon says everyone should be reimbursed in full for all their healthcare expenses: “We know how to fund that, it’s not complicated.” |
| Fillon says the system has to be “debureaucratised” and GPs need to be at the heart of the system. They need to be paid properly, to be able to work in teams. Hospitals need to be more independent. | Fillon says the system has to be “debureaucratised” and GPs need to be at the heart of the system. They need to be paid properly, to be able to work in teams. Hospitals need to be more independent. |
| Macron also wants healthcare professionals to have more autonomy. | Macron also wants healthcare professionals to have more autonomy. |
| Le Pen says France has to cut waste in its healthcare system. As a mother of three, she says, she could have started a pharmacy ... | Le Pen says France has to cut waste in its healthcare system. As a mother of three, she says, she could have started a pharmacy ... |
| UK observers should note the amount of time healthcare, pensions and employment issues are taking up in the French presidential debate | UK observers should note the amount of time healthcare, pensions and employment issues are taking up in the French presidential debate |
| 10.30pm GMT | 10.30pm GMT |
| 22:30 | 22:30 |
| There is a lengthy debate on the age of retirement ... | There is a lengthy debate on the age of retirement ... |
| Fillon proposes raising the retirement age to 65. | Fillon proposes raising the retirement age to 65. |
| Macron says he will reform the pension system from top to bottom. It is unclear and confusing and unfair, he says. One euro paid into the system should be worth one euro at retirement age, he says. | Macron says he will reform the pension system from top to bottom. It is unclear and confusing and unfair, he says. One euro paid into the system should be worth one euro at retirement age, he says. |
| 10.25pm GMT | 10.25pm GMT |
| 22:25 | 22:25 |
| Tweet of the night so far: “As president of the Republic, I would shorten presidential debates.” | Tweet of the night so far: “As president of the Republic, I would shorten presidential debates.” |
| Moi, président de la République, je raccourcirai les débats télévisés #DebatTF1 | Moi, président de la République, je raccourcirai les débats télévisés #DebatTF1 |
| 10.19pm GMT | 10.19pm GMT |
| 22:19 | 22:19 |
| Le Pen says Brexit is a huge success and the UK’s results are “formidable”. Everyone knows what I think of Europe and the euro, she says. | Le Pen says Brexit is a huge success and the UK’s results are “formidable”. Everyone knows what I think of Europe and the euro, she says. |
| The other candidates laugh ... | The other candidates laugh ... |
| In tonight's presidential debate, Ms Le Pen describes Brexit as spectacular success: "les résultats du Brexit sont formidables." https://t.co/PFc9CKGNlF | In tonight's presidential debate, Ms Le Pen describes Brexit as spectacular success: "les résultats du Brexit sont formidables." https://t.co/PFc9CKGNlF |
| hahahahaha Le Pen just mentioned Brexit and everyone in the room booed, hello there from French people in London | hahahahaha Le Pen just mentioned Brexit and everyone in the room booed, hello there from French people in London |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.51pm GMT | at 10.51pm GMT |
| 10.15pm GMT | 10.15pm GMT |
| 22:15 | 22:15 |
| Le Pen’s ideas on the economy are not entirely coherent, according to some: | Le Pen’s ideas on the economy are not entirely coherent, according to some: |
| Le Pen completely incoherent on economics. No figures. No specifics. Nothing. Very Trumplike. Will her voters care, though? #LeGrandDébat | Le Pen completely incoherent on economics. No figures. No specifics. Nothing. Very Trumplike. Will her voters care, though? #LeGrandDébat |
| Fillon accuses Le Pen of leading France “towards social and economic chaos”. | Fillon accuses Le Pen of leading France “towards social and economic chaos”. |
| French rightwing candidate @FrancoisFillon accuses @MLP_officiel of leading France "towards social and economic chaos" in TV debate @AFP pic.twitter.com/VoY23PDOh5 | French rightwing candidate @FrancoisFillon accuses @MLP_officiel of leading France "towards social and economic chaos" in TV debate @AFP pic.twitter.com/VoY23PDOh5 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.25pm GMT | at 10.25pm GMT |