In a letter to the audiovisual regulator Arcom, Olivier Faure, the first secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), expressed concern over the organization of a debate on May 23 on France 2 between Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella, just three weeks before the European elections. Faure argued that a debate for the European elections should not be limited to a confrontation between the right and the far right, excluding representation from left-wing parties.
Faure highlighted that Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is not a candidate in the European election and is replacing the head of the Renaissance list, Valérie Hayer, to face the president of the National Rally (RN), who is the clear favorite in the polls. The Italian audiovisual regulator had canceled a debate involving Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing the importance of equal treatment and respect for political pluralism before a major political election.
Faure requested that Arcom use its regulatory power to ensure the respect of pluralistic political debate, and consequently, the sincerity of the upcoming June 9 election. The regulator had already expressed concerns to the president of France Télévisions, Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, about the potential impact of the debate on the European election campaign rules. France Télévisions was asked to provide information on how they plan to guarantee fair presentation and access to other candidates.
Faure also pointed to the cancellation of a debate in Italy between the government leader, Giorgia Meloni, and the opposition leader, Elly Schlein, as another example of the importance of offering equal treatment to all parties in the run-up to the European elections. The Italian regulator had emphasized the need for all parties to have an equal opportunity in the lead-up to the elections, highlighting the importance of democratic principles in political debates.
The concern over the debate organized by France 2 and the potential impact on fair competition in the European elections has sparked a debate about the role of media in providing a platform for political discourse. The need for equal access and representation for all political parties in the debate has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the importance of upholding democratic values.
Faure’s actions to address the issue with the regulatory authority and emphasize the importance of preserving the democratic process in the lead-up to the European elections highlight the significance of fairness and respect for political pluralism in the media. The ongoing debate surrounding the organization of the debate on France 2 underscores the challenges of balancing political discourse and ensuring equal representation for all parties in the electoral process.
