The RN and LREM are fighting a tough battle for the European elections, and their two leaders have been firing salvos at each other through media outlets. On Thursday, May 9, Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron went to battle, sharply criticizing the policies of the other, reported Le Figaro.
“It has become a referendum for or against Emmanuel Macron, this European election. I accept that, but in these conditions, he must act like General De Gaulle: if he loses this election, then he will have to leave”.
For Marine Le Pen, the deal is clear. This EP vote is like a vote of confidence for a President of the Republic, its “party leader and at the same time campaign manager”.
According to Le Pen, Macron must leave if his lists loses to the RN. “We must be consistent, if he puts all his weight in the balance as President of the Republic, if he turns this election into a referendum, then he must have the honor and dignity to do as General de Gaulle did, to leave if he loses this referendum,” insisted the president of the RN.
Her remarks came in response to the proposals made by Emmanuel Macron, a few hours earlier, at a press conference given at the end of a European summit in Romania. “I think there is no mystery,” he said. “The list of the National Rally is a list of the deconstruction of Europe. I am a French and European patriot, they are nationalists. It’s different.”
The head of state blasted Le Pen’s “project of disunity”. Macron denounced the sovereignists: “We need everything except to have National Rally in mind,” he said, promising to put “all [his] energy into it so that the RN is not in the lead”.
The grandson of Charles de Gaulle has meanwhile publicly criticized Le Pen. He denounced the use of the name of his grandfather for the cause of the National Rally.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, an ally of Marine Le Pen and former presidential candidate has also claimed Gaullism and has often quoted General de Gaulle in his recent speeches.
The grandson of the general is usually very discreet on French political life, but during the Parisian ceremonies on May 8, Yves de Gaulle assured the President of the Republic of his support.
While Emmanuel Macron celebrated the armistice of May 8, 1945 on the Champs-Elysées, he spoke for a few moments with Yves de Gaulle the grandson of the general, who thanked him for his contribution “to make the Republic better”. The images were broadcast live by BFMTV .
In the shadow of the statue of the first president of the Fifth Republic and after having laid a wreath of flowers, the two men exchanged a few words: “My father [Philippe de Gaulle, now 97 years old, ed] is well, ” Yves de Gaulle told the head of state.
“And the Republic is fine … thanks to you,” he immediately added before going on: “It’s not easy, I’m well aware”. But Emmanuel Macron vainly dismissed the compliment: “Yes, yes, but that’s not what stops me, there are some who have faced much worse. We were a little different, the times were different too but we try to take inspiration from good things.”
The President of the Republic then headed to Place de l’Etoile, where he was expected by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, the Minister of Armies Florence Parly and his Secretary of State Geneviève Darrieussecq as well as by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the Military Governor of Paris.
Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande were also present. Emmanuel Macron then laid a new wreath in front of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and rekindled his flame.