The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, gave a speech at the Sorbonne on April 25, 2024. A week after this speech, the audiovisual regulator, Arcom, announced on May 2 that it should be counted in its entirety as part of the presidential camp’s speaking time for the upcoming European elections. The Arcom stated that while Macron’s speech did not explicitly support the list led by Valérie Hayer, it did have a direct link to the election campaign. This decision came after the party Les Républicains (LR) raised concerns about the speech being used as election propaganda.
Les Républicains had written to the regulator on the same day as the speech, requesting that the entire speech be counted as part of the speaking time for the presidential camp’s list, named Renaissance, MoDem, Horizons, and UDI, led by Valérie Hayer. This request was made in accordance with the principle of fairness in media coverage leading up to the elections on June 9. The Arcom has emphasized the need for equity rather than equality in the allocation of speaking time to different political parties in the media.
Following the President’s speech, the leader of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, announced that he would also be contacting the Arcom to address the perceived unfairness in the treatment of different electoral lists. Faure criticized Macron for speaking as if he were the head of his own list without having his speaking time counted. Even some television channels raised concerns with the regulator about this issue. Macron responded to these criticisms by acknowledging that the rules regarding speaking time were set by others and that they should be followed independently.
In addition to the Arcom’s decision, Les Républicains also approached the National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing (CNCCFP) to include the expenses related to Macron’s speech in Valérie Hayer’s campaign expenses. The party’s leader, Eric Ciotti, specified that this request extends to all direct and indirect costs, as well as any other benefits received. It is clear that there is ongoing debate and scrutiny over the fairness and equity of media coverage and campaign expenses in the lead-up to the European elections.
Overall, the issue surrounding Macron’s speech at the Sorbonne and its impact on the presidential camp’s speaking time and campaign expenses has sparked controversy and raised questions about fairness and equality in the electoral process. The Arcom’s decision to include the speech in the speaking time of the presidential camp highlights the need for transparency and impartiality in electoral procedures. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties participating in elections.
