The debate became heated when the three participants took on the subject of the retirement age, which Mr Macron – in an unpopular move that sparked riots – raised to 64 from 62. While Mr Attal defended Mr Macron’s decision, Mr Bompard vowed to reverse it, and Mr Bardella said he would tweak it by setting what he called a “pivotal” age of 62 years.
Mr Attal and Mr Bardella pledged not to raise taxes, while Mr Bompard said levies would be raised for people making more than €4000 ($6420) a month.
They also sparred over immigration, staying closely in line with their broad political leanings. While Mr Attal attacked Mr Bardella for questioning the Frenchness of dual citizens, Mr Bardella said he would “take back control of immigration”. Mr Bompard reminded Mr Bardella of his Italian origins.
The debate was the first of two such live events – with the next one slated for Thursday evening (Friday AEST) – before the first round of voting on Sunday. The second round is scheduled for July 7.
Ms Le Pen’s party is forecast to win the first round with 35.4 per cent, according to Bloomberg’s poll of polls on Tuesday. The New Popular Front would be second, with 28.1 per cent, while Mr Macron’s Renaissance party and its allies lagging in third place with 20.6 per cent.
Most pollsters predict that the National Rally will form the largest group in the National Assembly but fall short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority. The latest survey by Odoxa predicts the party will get between 250 and 300 seats.
This scenario – where National Rally wins the most seats in the legislature but falls short of an absolute majority – would likely inflict gridlock on the lower house, meaning any ambitious legislation or reform would be difficult to pass.
Over the last two weeks, the New Popular Front – which combines socialists, communists, Greens and the far-left France Unbowed – and the National Rally have rushed to put together campaign pledges.
Mr Bardella has sought to assure voters and markets. On Monday, he said he would fund a reduction in sales tax on energy and fuel by cutting France’s contribution to the EU budget, closing tax advantages for shipping firms, and boosting levies on the profits of energy companies.
This came three days after the leftist alliance set out €150 billion of additional annual spending by 2027 that it said would be paid for through increased taxation.
Mr Macron’s decision to call a snap vote initially sent markets into turmoil, though spreads on France’s bonds over Germany have retreated from the highest level in more than a decade in a sign investors are becoming more sanguine about potential disruption.
Bloomberg
Source link : https://www.afr.com/world/europe/france-s-main-parties-clash-on-economy-immigration-in-tv-debate-20240626-p5joxz
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Publish date : 2024-06-26 00:25:00
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