France's political future hung in the balance during a fiery prime-time debate where three rising stars clashed over economic policies and the cost-of-living crisis. 🤜💥 With the first round of snap elections just days away, 35-year-old incumbent PM Gabriel Attal (Renaissance) squared off against 28-year-old hard-right challenger Jordan Bardella and left-wing candidate Manuel Bompard, 38.
🌟 \"I don't want to promise the moon,\" declared Attal, defending his party's economic record while painting rivals as risky for France's stability. But Bardella fired back, blaming Macron's centrist coalition for \"years of failed policies\" as inflation squeezes households.
The proposals couldn't be more different:
- National Rally: Axe energy sales taxes + under-30s income tax cuts
- New Popular Front: Tax the wealthy to fund pensions + youth benefits
- Renaissance: Positioned as \"responsible stewards\" of economy
With polls showing the far-right leading and a surprising left-wing alliance in second place, Macron's warning of \"civil war risks from extremes\" adds drama to Europe's most-watched election. 🇪🇺 All eyes now turn to June 30 and July 7 voting days.
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French election candidates clash over economy and cost of living
cgtn.com