"what you said there is very serious" : Marine Le Pen responds to Emmanuel Macron, who says he will create a new project. "civil war" (VIDEO)

This was arguably the television event of Wednesday, April 20. The two-round debate between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, which aired simultaneously on TF1 and France 2, led to tense moments between the two candidates. In particular, the question of religious symbols created a concrete moment of tension. “What I want to do is fight against Islamism.”He remembered Marine Le Pen, who wanted to ban the wearing of the veil in public.

Emmanuel Macron particularly criticized the Frontist candidate for creating “an equivalence system that confuses all issues”. “You went from a veil-related question to terrorism, to Islamism, and to foreigners. With your journey you create a system of equivalence that confuses and sustains all issues.‘, he complained at first. “Secularism is not about fighting a religion. The headscarf, kippah and religious signs will not be banned in my presence.He then promised the evening’s political rival before giving a stern warning.If you do this, you will start a civil war in the city, I say it with all sincerity.” He guessed the current tenant of the Elysée.

“What you’re saying here is very serious. In reality, you’re saying that people won’t agree to obey the law.”, then defended Marine Le Pen. “You’re guessing there’s a certain number of people who would refuse to enforce the law,” he added. The far-right candidate then puts forward the referendum he wants to change the French immigration constitution. Marine Le Pen recalled that she was planning “deportation of foreign criminals, abolition of jus soli, national priority for housing and employment, prohibition of regulation of illegal immigrants and modification of the right to asylum”.

Note that four days before the runoff, polls always give the outgoing president an advantage, with 54% to 56.5% of the intent to vote against Marine Le Pen’s 43.5 to 46%. Note that this gap is narrower than in 2017, when Emmanuel Macron won 32 points (66% vs Marine Le Pen 34%).

LT