French PM seeks to narrow EU poll gap in far-right TV duel

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and far-right party leader Jordan Bardella locked horns Thursday in a TV debate ahead of European elections, as the ruling party of President Emmanuel Macron seeks to narrow a yawning gap in polls.

The far-right National Rally (RN) is currently far ahead in opinion polls for the June 9 elections in France, with Macron's Renaissance party in a battle for second place with the Socialists.

The debate between Attal, 35, and Bardella, 28, who leads the RN's list in the EU elections, was marked by tense exchanges on issues ranging from immigration to foreign policy with neither man gaining a clear upper hand.

"We will in June have the most important European elections in our history," said Attal, adding that the world was at a "turning point" due to issues ranging from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to artificial intelligence.

Attal sought to paint Bardella as leading a party without substance that had no serious interest in Europe and a vision "of turning in onto ourselves and the end of the European Union."

Bardella countered: "I am not against Europe. I am against the way the Europe works now," calling for more "economic patriotism".

• France’s Le Pen hints at far-right alliance with Italy’s Meloni

Coming third would be a disaster for the president, who portrays himself as a champion of European democracy and bulwark against the far right.

Read more on RFI English

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