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The debate between the two rounds, which will take place on Wednesday April 20, is part of the history of the Fifth Republic. Back in pictures on significant exchanges, which have sometimes become real political tipping points.
From Giscard-Mitterrand to Hollande-Sarkozy via Macron-Le Pen, the French were able to attend a total of seven televised duels between candidates for the presidential election. Some have gone down in history. This is the case of the first debate, in 1974. In one sentence, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing had, perhaps, partially offered his stay at the Élysée. “You don’t have the monopoly of the heart“, he had launched to François Mitterrand.
Another significant exchange, that between Jacques Chirac and François Mitterrand, in 1988. “I am not the Prime Minister, and you are not the President of the Republic. (…) We are two candidates on an equal footing, who submit to the judgment of the French, the only one that counts. So you will allow me to call you Monsieur Mitterrand“, introduced Jacques Chirac. “But you are absolutely right, Prime Minister.“, tackled the president-candidate dryly. In 1995, the Chirac-Jospin debate was on the other hand more courteous. And for good reason: the two men had agreed not to be inveigh.
From the “monopoly of the heart”, the candidates meticulously prepare their formulas for the big night. Evidenced by the now famous “me president” by François Hollande, in 2012. If in 2017, the Le Pen-Macron debate was marked by a certain confusion, the next one which will oppose them, Wednesday April 20, will perhaps redistribute the cards.