🇫🇷 French 🇫🇷 Presidential Election: TV debate live thread (Macron vs. Le Pen) - 20 April, 9pm.

[Tender Branson]

Starts in 5 minutes (with English commentary + translation):

 

[Tender Branson]

Debate has started.

Note that in French presidential debates, the candidates are seated.

In US debates, they are standing.

 

[Tender Branson]

The first round of questions is about inflation and purchasing power, which is the main topic for French voters (60% of voters say it's the most important topic for them).

This is also the most important topic for US voters right now for November ...

 

[Tender Branson]

In US President elections, there are 3 TV debates (why so many ?)

in France, just one.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

In US President elections, there are 3 TV debates (why so many ?)

Obviously because we have more freedom

 

[Tender Branson]

Le Pen wants to exit the European electricity market.

President Macron wants to cap fuel price increases and encourage voters to go green and buy more e-cars.

 

[Tender Branson]

Le Pen promises voters annual 10% wage increases.

President Macron lectures her that a president cannot regulate wage increases and that 10% a year is utopic, because the companies set wage increases on their own.

 

[Carjosse]

Does Le Pen even know what the president of France does?

 

[Nomad4Ever]

First off, this is amazing. It's so different from US debates.

Secondly, this is so frustrating. This should be a blowout debate, but Macron is such a Neoliberal corporate shill. Le Pen is just pointing out basic economic issues the French people are facing and laughing at Macrons 'solutions' to low wages like cutting taxes. Le Pen is insanely xenophobic and nationalist in her economic policies, and somehow she has Macron talking about his economic failings instead of Macron digging her racist anti-immigrant social programs.

 

[Tender Branson]

President Macron whipping her ass right now.

She is so incredibly dumb and should not be near the presidency ever with her talking points.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

President Macron whipping her ass right now.

She is so incredibly dumb and should not be near the presidency ever with her talking points.

His economic knowledge only comes off as elitist to her voters. It doesn't matter if what she says is stupid or not. As long as it appears like she is more in touch.

 

[MTAtech]

I can't believe that the daughter of a Vichy leader is this close to becoming a French President. It really shows how fascism has gained ground in the world.

 

[MTAtech]

His economic knowledge only comes off as elitist to her voters. It doesn't matter if what she says is stupid or not. As long as it appears like she is more in touch.

I didn't realize there was elitist economics, only economics.

 

[Tender Branson]

Le Pens eyes and her stare are so hateful, as if she's about to explode when the President is talking.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

I didn't realize there was elitist economics, only economics.

That's how her base sees it.

 

[MTAtech]

That's how her base sees it.

Then "elitist" means "not dumb."

It's the same in America. If one speaks clearly with facts, figures and substance, like Hillary did in 2016, some voters view that as elitism.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Uh oh. Foreign affairs. Lets see if she can managed to not come off as a Russia stooge.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Then "elitist" means "not dumb."

It's the same in America. If one speaks clearly with facts, figures and substance, like Hillary did in 2016, some voters view that as elitism.

Yes, it is exactly like that unfortunately.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Lol going after her for the Russian loan is great. Hopefully he keeps putting pressure on her for stuff like this.

 

[MTAtech]

Le Pen did take out an $11 million loan from a Russian bank and never had to repay that loan. Sounds familiar to Americans, huh?

 

[Tender Branson]

Lol, the translator with his high-pitched Macron voice is awesome: "You have still not paid it back. You are dependent from Russia."

 

[Tender Branson]

Le Pen spewing a barrage of nationalistic stuff.

"France must be sovereign again !"

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Le Pen spewing a barrage of nationalistic stuff.

"France must be sovereign again !"

I wonder how popular the anti-EU sentiment is in France.

 

[Tender Branson]

I wonder how popular the anti-EU sentiment is in France.

Around 40%.

Which is the vote share she will get.

 

[Tender Branson]

Le Pen wants to re-create a global megalomaniac colonial France.

We know where this leads to, see Russia, who wants to reestablish the Soviet Union: war and destruction.