European elections: at the first RN debate, Thierry Mariani was accused of being “the Kremlin’s little telegraph operator”

National Rally MEP Thierry Mariani was targeted by left-wing candidates on Thursday during the first televised debate ahead of the European elections, accused by Raphael Glucksmann, head of the Socialist List, in part, of being “the Kremlin’s little telegraph operator.” The far-right party was the only one that did not send its list leader Jordan Bardella to this eight-party exchange in the Public Senate. His interests were represented by Thierry Mariani, known for his approach to Moscow.

Most vehemently against him, Raphael Glucksmann said he “hesitated” to go on set to “come face to face with the little telegraph operator from the Kremlin.” The French candidate at heart, Manon Aubry, also believed that it would be necessary to leave an “empty chair” for RN, and the Ecologist chair Marie Toussaint added, saying that Thierry Mariani was “almost an agent of the Kremlin.” on European territory.

Before questioning him about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “They are, of course, less frequent than Mr. Macron’s,” he replied, referring to the dialogue that the French president maintained with his counterpart, including at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Presidential Majority Leader Valérie Ayer has remained in the shadows on the issue, while Emmanuel Macron’s camp has sharply attacked the RN on Russia since the start of his election campaign.

Communist Leon Deffontaine scores points

On the other hand, she defended the new position of the President of the Republic, who argues that sending military personnel to Ukraine in the future should not be ruled out. “It is for Vladimir Putin that we must set red lines,” and not “for ourselves,” insisted Valerie Heyer. On the other two main topics of debate – agriculture and immigration – everyone took a stand, sometimes in a cacophony.

The communist Leon Deffontaine, quite comfortable, although unknown to the general public, played the card of his youth. “I’m 27 years old, I’m scared. This is my first debate. I am shocked that from the very beginning we insulted each other, called each other names,” he said. Candidate for the Reconquista! Marion Maréchal estimated that Europe had “completely lost control of immigration” and called for a “naval blockade”.

Like her, Thierry Mariani condemned the policies pursued by the presidential camp, and the head of the Republican list, François-Xavier Bellamy, recalled the referendum on the general initiative presented by his party in France on immigration, since there is “urgency for action.” “After these 50 shades of the far right,” we need to “bring back some humanity,” Manon Aubry quipped.