French PM steps in to boost Macron's ailing EU parliament campaign

RFI

4 June 2024 at 3:12 pm·1-min read

France's prime minister faced allegations of intentionally overshadowing the head of the ruling party's list in the European elections by making a surprise appearance on stage during her radio debate.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal walked into Franceinfo's radio debate featuring lead candidates during an exchange between the anchor and Valerie Hayer, the head of the ruling party's list for the June 9 polls.

Hayer's campaign has struggled to resonate with the public, while the French far right appears poised for a significant victory, marking a major setback for President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party.

"Hello, sorry I'm bursting onto the stage," Attal said to the audience as Hayer looked on, explaining that he wanted to address the young viewers and "encourage Valerie."

He then delivered a brief speech emphasizing that key issues like climate change "can only be tackled through Europe."

The head of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party's list for the elections Manon Aubry posted a video of the event calling it the "definition of mansplaining".

She added:"The intrusion of Mr. Attal into Ms. Hayer's interview is outrageous...just like Macron's appearance on the 8 PM news the day before the campaign ended. They humiliate their lead candidate just as they humiliate the French people and have no respect for democracy."

LFI MP Raquel Garrido called the incident "mansplaining or, to be more precise, manterrupting", using an American English neologism coined by feminists.

National concerns

The Daily Beast
Obama Rode to Biden’s Rescue—but Intervention Could Yet Come
On Friday afternoon, in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate against Donald Trump, private murmurs and public calls for an “intervention” ricocheted through Democratic circles. But then a hold-up emerged.Some 17 hours after Biden botched his big debate moment, his former boss came to the rescue.For many high-ranking Democrats, a single tweet from former President Barack Obama appeared to nix any chance of the 44th president meeting with the 46th and urging him to drop out.Rea
Associated Press
An Indian military tank sinks while crossing a river in a region bordering China, killing 5 soldiers
Five Indian soldiers were killed when a military tank they were travelling in sank while crossing a river in the remote region of Ladakh that borders China, officials said Saturday. The tank sank early Saturday due to sudden increase in the water levels of Shyok River during a military training activity, according to an Indian army command center statement. It said the accident took place in Saser Brangsa near the Line of Actual Control that divides India and China in the Ladakh region.
INSIDER
Israel has never been impressed with its version of the $1 billion Patriot air defense system. Now it could offload up to 8 to Ukraine.
Ukraine has long coveted more of the $1 billion US-manufactured Patriot air defense systems.
The Telegraph
‘Trillion dollar trainwreck’: US super stealth fighter is eating the next generation
All of a sudden, the US Air Force is considering cancelling a multibillion-dollar effort to develop a new stealth fighter. Citing the high cost of the so-called “Next-Generation Air Dominance” programme and the competing demands of other projects, USAF leaders have warned they may have no choice but to cancel NGAD – and find other ways of winning control of the air in future wars.
The Telegraph
Joe Biden ‘gets tired after 4pm’
Joe Biden gets tired after 4pm, according to aides, which might explain his dismal performance on Thursday’s 9pm debate.
The Wrap
The Philadelphia Inquirer Calls on Trump to Drop Out of Presidential Race: ‘He Mainly Spews Raw Sewage’
The editorial comes the day after the New York Times called on Joe Biden to drop out The post The Philadelphia Inquirer Calls on Trump to Drop Out of Presidential Race: ‘He Mainly Spews Raw Sewage’ appeared first on TheWrap.
HuffPost
Critics Clown Trump's 'IDIOTIC' Electric Planes Remarks: 'Dumb As A Box Of Rocks'
"What happens if the sun isn’t shining while you’re up in the air?” the former president asked at a rally in Virginia.
CNN Business
One of the world’s richest men wants to transform India’s biggest slum
When Masoom Ali Shaikh arrived in Mumbai in 1974 as a young man from northern India, the patch of land where he set up shop was “just a creek with no proper road and garbage all around,” he said.
The Independent
‘Panicking’ Rishi Sunak in final weekend of campaigning to save his own seat
Rishi Sunak‘s team asked for a hustings to be arranged in his own constituency which was later cancelled as he tries to make sure he saves his own seat
The Guardian
‘I am not made for war’: the men fleeing Ukraine to evade conscription
As a new recruitment drive looms, some are turning to online handlers and forgers to escape the horror of war
The Hill
Bernie Sanders on Biden’s performance: ‘Not terribly articulate to say the least’
In his first public comments since President Biden took to the debate stage last night, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the president failed to clearly articulate his achievements or vision for the future. “I have to also be very honest with you and tell you that I think the president was not terribly articulate to…
South China Morning Post
Berlin's shift on China policy is result of Beijing's changed behaviour, German envoy says
Beijing's changing behaviour towards Europe has compelled Berlin to re-evaluate its China policy, a top German diplomat said on Friday. Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Thomas Bagger, state secretary at the German foreign ministry, declared that Germany's stance towards Beijing has moved to a heightened rivalry, a response to Beijing's actions rather than pressure from Washington. "It's quite clear that the emphasis has shifted from a focus on partnership and cooperation to more c
CNN
Russia wants to confront NATO but dares not fight it on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
When someone tried – and failed – to burn down a bus garage in Prague earlier this month, the unsuccessful arson attack didn’t draw much attention. Until, that is, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala revealed it was “very likely” that Moscow was behind it.
CNN
The reason why NATO and Europe found Biden’s debate performance so alarming
Joe Biden’s performance at the CNN presidential debate against Donald Trump has raised concerns with US allies - particularly within NATO and Europe.
INSIDER
Hezbollah has the weapons to carry out its threat against Cyprus
Hezbollah may be using Cyprus as a "stand-in" to threaten a nearby NATO country, a regional expert said.
PA Media: UK News
Sunak praises ‘incredible strength’ of his wife and daughters during campaign
Rishi Sunak has also reiterated his criticism of the racial slur used against him by a Reform UK canvasser.
The Daily Beast
Why I Told Biden to Quit, by New Yorker’s David Remnick: ‘Breakthrough Moment’
When The New Yorker’s editor David Remnick watched Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, it was the culmination of long-held doubts. On Saturday, he published a column headlined “The Reckoning of Joe Biden,” calling for the president to end a re-election campaign that Remnick called “a national endangerment.”Remnick told the Daily Beast, “It’s just become more and more evident, and the debate was just the kind of breakthrough moment.”The column is the latest salvo from
HuffPost
The Truly Devastating Power Grab You're Missing In The Biden Debate Fiasco
It's a court ruling that will prove incredibly damaging to the causes that liberals and progressives champion.
The Guardian
Could Kamala Harris be a winner for the Democrats if Biden steps aside?
The vice-president would be a logical choice if Biden does opt out, but some are already looking to other contenders
INSIDER
France's army chief says small drones will lose their battlefield advantage. But Ukraine likely won't be changing tack anytime soon.
French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill said small drones could soon lose their battlefield advantage as defenses were catching up.

National concerns

Latest stories