Xavier Bellamy, the head of the list for the Republicans, criticized France 2’s decision to organize a debate between Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella, stating that the absence of other parties was detrimental to French democracy. Bellamy expressed his concerns on the morning show “Télématin” and questioned the selection of candidates for the debate, suggesting that Raphaël Glucksmann should have been included as well. He emphasized the importance of the European political landscape dominated by the right and left, with liberals playing a supporting role, and the far right having minimal representation.
Bellamy continued his critique of the debate format on the morning show “Les Quatre Vérités,” highlighting the power dynamics in the European Parliament and the need for France to strengthen its presence within the European right. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, the candidate for the European right for a new term as President of the European Commission. Bellamy stressed the importance of aligning with the major political formations in the European Parliament, namely the European People’s Party on the right and the Social Democrats on the left, in order to have a significant impact.
Reflecting on the past five years since the victory of the Rassemblement National list, led by Bardella, in the European elections, Bellamy criticized the lack of progress made by the far-right counterparts. He noted that despite winning five years ago, the Rassemblement National had not made any significant changes or advancements in European legislative matters. Bellamy’s comments come just two weeks before the upcoming election, where he aims to draw attention to the importance of evaluating the performance of political parties in shaping European policies and legislation.
With a focus on strengthening France’s position within the European Parliament, Bellamy highlighted the need for a strategic approach to alliances and collaboration within the European political landscape. He emphasized the impact of the major political groupings, such as the European People’s Party and the Social Democrats, in shaping policies and decision-making processes at the European level. Bellamy’s remarks underscored the significance of ensuring France’s active participation and influence within these key political formations to effectively advocate for the country’s interests and priorities.
In reiterating his concerns about the democratic process, Bellamy emphasized the importance of inclusivity and representation in political debates and discussions. He criticized the exclusion of other parties from the televised debate on France 2, stressing that such limitations could undermine the democratic principles and values that underpin the electoral process. Bellamy’s comments reflect a broader commitment to promoting transparency, fairness, and democratic participation in political decision-making and public discourse, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and representative political landscape.
Overall, Xavier Bellamy’s criticisms of the organization of the debate between Attal and Bardella and his emphasis on the need for France to strengthen its position within the European right point to broader concerns about the state of democracy and political representation in contemporary Europe. By highlighting the power dynamics and structural inequalities within the European Parliament, Bellamy’s remarks underscore the importance of strategic alliances and collaboration to advance France’s interests and priorities at the European level effectively. His comments also raise important questions about the democratic process and the role of media in shaping public discourse and political engagement.
