“We have a lot of media requests,” says Jordan Bardella in defense of the RN candidates refusing to debate on France Bleu channels.

Were the National Rally candidates instructed not to debate during the two-round election? At least 21 RN candidates have cancelled or refused to debate on France Bleu, Radio France reported. “In an election campaign, we have a lot of media requests (…) and you cannot respond to all of the media requests”replied Jordan Bardella, the president of the RN, Wednesday July 3, on the set of “20 Heures” on France 2. “Our candidates travel a lot and hold a lot of press conferences”he continued.

The RN candidates have argued for last-minute impediments, but also problems linked to their political opponent. They have sometimes denounced “pressures exerted (…) to block the extreme right”, “alliances” with the New Popular Front, accuse their political adversary of making “political politics”. They also said they did not have “desire” to debate with this or that person.