Editorial of the “World”. Since the entry into Emmanuel Macron’s campaign, its eleven competitors reproach it to flee confrontation. On the sidelines of an electoral displacement in Poissy (Yvelines), Monday, March 7, the president candidate, in fact, excluded from participating in a televised debate with them before the first round of the presidential election. He argued that none of his predecessors had complied with this kind of exercise, which is correct. In addition to the fact that a twelve debate is likely to turn into a granting fair, no outgoing president, candidate for his re-election, has accepted the victim position of becoming the unique target of all his opponents. There are limits to the sacrifice in the electoral fight.
In ordinary weather, the refusal to debate Emmanuel Macron would therefore easily go through losses and profits. In the exceptional situation faced by the country, however, it poses a problem. The war in Ukraine has indeed accentuated the overhang position in which Emmanuel Macron is located today. Far from costing it popularity, its declaration of application has propelled it beyond 30% of voting intentions, because its positions, as head of state, bring it out as the most even to protect and defend the French. His opponents are currently so distanced that they give the impression of being only figures condemned to speak in the void.
This situation is doubly unhealthy. First, because it misuse democratic representation. Then, because it deprives voters with a clear and thorough debate on all major issues of the moment. The theme of the “retracted campaign” is already on all the lips, while still a good month left before the first round.
Many have feared that the irruption during the election period of an international drama does not occupy domestic priorities. This is the opposite that occurs. The conflict in Ukraine has the effect of sorting between the real subjects and the false polemics. It reveals our vulnerabilities, accelerates mutations in progress and puts on the front of the scene five crucial themes: the defense of the country, the state of the European construction, the dependence on fossil energies, the purchasing power, the capacity of Finance our massage need for investments. It is around these five topics that the debate between candidates must tie and deepen.
The supporters of the President of the Republic invoke the spirit of the V e Republic to plead that it is to the French that Emmanuel Macron must speak. The first exchanges with them have, in fact, allowed to bring out a number of proposals, but which remain for the moment in a state of weightlessness. However, crucial choices are before us, such as the use of nuclear power to happen at the end of oil and gas. The candidate of EELV, Yannick Jadot, is fiercely hostile, Emmanuel Macron judges the judge on the contrary indispensable. It would be the interest of the electors that the two candidates have a substantive exchange on this subject, regardless of their deviation in the polls.
has exceptional situation, exceptional answer. It is necessary that, by the first round, a series of debates to some candidates can be organized. The participants could vary depending on the themes chosen, in the strict respect of their speaking time. Nothing is possible without the agreement of the twelve contenders, it is up to them to show that they are capable of it.