Just days before the final vote this weekend, centrist Macron and far-right Le Pen clashed on how to tackle the French economy and terrorism in their final televised debate.
The BFMTV poll found viewers were more impressed with Macron then Le Pen in the two hour, ill-tempered debate. Macron proved to be the “most convincing” of the pair in the opinion of 63 percent of viewers.
Insults were traded between the Presidential candidates, with Le Pen calling her rival a “smirking banker” who planned to work with Islamists, was complacent on terrorism and intended on “butchering France”.
In turn, Macron branded his opponent an ill-informed, dangerously nationalistic and “hate-filled” liar who “fed off France’s misery”.
Regarding terrorism, Le Pen said to Macron: “You have no plan (on security) but you are indulgent with Islamist fundamentalism,”
He responded: “I will lead a fight against Islamist terrorism at every level. But what they are wanting, the trap they are holding out for us, is the one that you offer – civil war,”
On the European Union, the two candidates were on opposite ends of the spectrum, with Le Pen promising a referendum and Macron promising greater cooperation with the bloc.
“The euro is the currency of bankers. It’s not the people’s currency,” Le Pen said. Macron responded: “The euro is important. It’s not just a policy.”
Whilst it is looking unlikely that Le Pen will win this general election, the fact that she stands in this position show the progress her party have made to shake the image of anti-Semitism and racism under her father.
Both candidates hoped to impress the 18 percent of undecided voters in the first election that France has ever held without a candidate from the two traditional mainstream parties.
The final vote of this tense election will be held this weekend.