Anne-Sophie Lapix capable of making those who aspire to the highest positions in the political life of our country tremble on her own? The 50-year-old journalist, renowned for her mastery of files and her pugnacious tone in interviews, had been rejected by Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, the two qualified for the second round of the presidential election for the debate between them. A controversy followed in the media and political class. But the main interested party, what does she say?
As she ends her season at the controls of the 8 p.m. news on France 2 and does not hide her impatience to be on vacation – no doubt she will benefit from the Southwest, where she is from – Anne-Sophie Lapix explained to the newspaper The Parisian. “I didn’t experience it badly. I wasn’t totally surprised that Marine Le Pen didn’t want it to be me [la candidate d’extrême droite ne la porte pas dans son coeur depuis des années après une interview qui lui avait causé du tort, ndlr] since this is an important moment for the candidates. Even if I would not have had the same tone by animating a debate as the one I have for my interviews“, assures Anne-Sophie Lapix.
The journalist is therefore well aware that her tone, precisely, displeases many politicians who feel attacked and pushed to their limits. For her: nothing personal, just her job! “I have no personal animosity towards anyone. When I interview politicians, it’s about their programs, promises, commitments and contradictions. I look for where is the problem, the wolf, because it is important, interesting and it is my role. Afterwards, we can more or less appreciate my tone“, adds Anne-Sophie Lapix, who claims to try to make it more neutral.
The journalist was probably a little upset at the time – it was her colleague Léa Salamé who was chosen – but ultimately won the change. “This controversy finally allowed me to have Emmanuel Macron in the 20 Hours the day after the debate. We had been trying to get him since the beginning of the year without success. This time it just happened“, adds Anne-Sophie Lapix.