An interview that sparks debate. Three days before the European elections, Emmanuel Macron will be the exceptional guest on the 8 p.m. news on France 2 and TF1, Thursday May 6, from 8:15 p.m. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Landing, the President of the Republic will discuss, live from Caen (Calvados), the commemorations of this historic event. The Head of State will also speak on international news, marked by the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The timing chosen for this presidential interview angers the opposition, who see it as a roundabout way of supporting the list led by the Renaissance candidate, Valérie Hayer. Follow the interview with the Head of State in our live stream.
The opposition is outraged by the timing chosen. The Republicans, but also La France insoumise or even the Socialist Party… Some of the opposition contacted Arcom, the audiovisual regulator, upon the announcement of this interview with Emmanuel Macron a few days before a electoral deadline. “In many respects, this is a requisition, by the President of the Republic, of the main television channels, which gives rise to fears that this expression will harm the sincerity of the vote”for example judged Olivier Faure, the boss of the PS, on Tuesday.
The presidential camp responds. Emmanuel Macron “did not choose the date of the Landing, he did not choose the date of the Europeans either”said Valérie Hayer on Tuesday on France Inter. “The President of the Republic speaks, they say he should not speak. If he did not speak, we would criticize him for not speaking. The Prime Minister gets involved in the campaign, we consider that he is too implied”, she quipped.
Arcom reminds you of the rules. Arcom called the channels on Tuesday “strict compliance with the rules” speaking time, before this presidential interview. “All or part of the comments made during this interview may be taken into account” in the speaking time of the Renaissance list and the other lists must benefit in return from“equitable access” on the air, the regulator underlined in a press release. The independent authority specified that it had written to the TF1 and France Télévisions groups “so that they inform him without delay of the arrangements they intend to take” to balance speaking times. These arrangements must be made “including in advance”, specifies Arcom. The electoral campaign ends on Friday at midnight and the candidates will then no longer be able to speak publicly until the vote on Sunday.