In a tense context, three representatives of the three main political blocs faced off in a debate on TF1 on June 25th: Gabriel Attal, the Prime Minister and representative of the presidential camp, Jordan Bardella, the president of the Rassemblement National, and Manuel Bompard, the coordinator of La France Insoumise and representative of the Nouveau Front Populaire. During the debate, each candidate highlighted their priorities and proposals. Manuel Bompard emphasized the need to challenge retirement reforms, while Jordan Bardella focused on issues related to purchasing power and Gabriel Attal discussed education and fighting inequalities.
When it comes to purchasing power, the candidates had different approaches. Jordan Bardella explained his prioritization on lowering energy taxes rather than general VAT cuts due to the state’s financial situation. Manuel Bompard proposed to freeze the prices of essential products to prevent excessive profits, while Gabriel Attal promised a comprehensive purchasing power package that includes pension adjustments, salary increases, and lower electricity bills.
Regarding retirement reforms, Gabriel Attal expressed his intention to focus on senior employment rather than repealing the current retirement reform. Jordan Bardella proposed different retirement age criteria based on individual work histories, while Manuel Bompard advocated for lowering the retirement age back to 62 and increasing minimum pensions to the level of the minimum wage for a full career.
On the topic of taxes, Gabriel Attal assured no tax increases for the majority of the population, while Manuel Bompard proposed tax hikes for the wealthiest to finance social programs. Jordan Bardella highlighted the need for an audit on state accounts and did not provide detailed information on his tax policies. Each candidate defended their stance on taxes and financial management.
When discussing environmental issues, the candidates had contrasting views. Manuel Bompard emphasized the urgency of combating climate change and investing in green initiatives. Gabriel Attal defended the government’s commitment to eco-friendly policies, while Jordan Bardella advocated for nuclear energy and criticized the ban on new thermal vehicles.
Immigration policies were another point of contention, with Manuel Bompard advocating for inclusive immigration and criticizing discriminatory attitudes. Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella clashed over proposals related to dual nationals and job preferences for French citizens. Overall, the candidates presented differing perspectives on immigration and integration policies.
In terms of security, Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella debated on measures to address youth delinquency and public safety. Bardella advocated for stricter measures, such as minimum sentences and financial penalties for parents of repeat offenders. Manuel Bompard called for a different approach, focusing on community policing and social interventions.
Education policies were also a point of debate, with proposals ranging from strengthening secular education to implementing stricter discipline measures in schools. Gabriel Attal highlighted past achievements in education reform, while Jordan Bardella emphasized the need for stricter rules and uniform policies in schools.
Healthcare was another key issue, with candidates outlining their plans to increase the number of medical professionals, decentralize healthcare management, and improve access to essential services. They presented a range of measures to address the challenges in the healthcare system, from training more doctors to streamlining administrative processes and improving local healthcare governance.
Overall, the debate showcased the contrasting visions and policy proposals of the three main political blocs in France on key issues such as purchasing power, retirement reforms, taxes, the environment, immigration, security, education, and healthcare. Each candidate presented their priorities and solutions, highlighting the diverse political landscape in the country.
