Whom does France deserve as president?

Could Mr Macron become the first French president to win a second term after Jacques Chirac?

Incumbent Emmanuel Macron and far-right Marine Le Pen had an important TV debate on Wednesday evening to sway millions of indecisive voters. An aggressive Mr Macron attacked his opponent for her ties to Russia, while Ms Le Pen said Macron’s presidency had left France deeply divided, referencing the Yellow Vest protest movement that was triggered in late 2018, when Mr Macron increased diesel taxes. Ms Le Pen claimed that France “needs to be stitched back together”.

During the TV debate before the final run-off of the 2017 French presidential elections between these two leaders, Mr Macron snapped: “I’m sorry, Madame Le