jean noel barrot, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. how surprised were you by emmanuel macron s pretty extraordinary decision to call a snap election? well, obviously i was surprised, because it s a very unique way to take a democratic decision, when the political situation in a given country is so severe that it basically limits the ability of the country to act for itself. there are very few leaders in this world that would take such a democratic decision in the face of such important choices. such a democratic decision, you say. many french people, including people very close to emmanuel macron, would call it an almost crazy gamble. no, a majority of french people support this decision. and the reason is simple you re never wrong when you hand the power to the people. and with a situation where the majority was too thin to be able to reform in a political situation where, after the european elections or during the european elections, french citizens expressed some anger,
jean noel barrot, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. how surprised were you by emmanuel macron s pretty extraordinary decision to call a snap election? well, obviously i was surprised, because it s a very unique way to take a democratic decision, when the political situation in a given country is so severe that it basically limits the ability of the country to act for itself. there are very few leaders in this world that would take such a democratic decision in the face of such important choices. such a democratic decision, you say. many french people, including people very close to emmanuel macron, would call it an almost crazy gamble. no, a majority of french people support this decision. and the reason is simple you re never wrong when you hand the power to the people. and with a situation where the majority was too thin to be able to reform in a political situation where, after the european elections or during the european elections, french citizens expressed some anger,
jean noel barrot, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. how surprised were you by emmanuel macron s pretty extraordinary decision to call a snap election? well, obviously i was surprised, because it s a very unique way to take a democratic decision, when the political situation in a given country is so severe that it basically limits the ability of the country to act for itself. there are very few leaders in this world that would take such a democratic decision in the face of such important choices. such a democratic decision, you say. many french people, including people very close to emmanuel macron, would call it an almost crazy gamble. no, a majority of french people support this decision. and the reason is simple you re never wrong when you hand the power to the people. and with a situation where the majority was too thin to be able to reform in a political situation where, after the european elections or during the european elections, french citizens expressed some anger,
of touch, the president of the rich, despite creating jobs and paying billions to keep french workers afloat through covid. marine le pen has worked hard to present herself as softer and more responsible. she wants to ban the muslim headscarf in public and give priority to french nationals injobs and housing. but her campaign is focused on poverty and rising prices. mr macron says that her programme is racist and would threaten democracy in france. he s always said he is the only one who can keep le pen from power, but after five years of president emmanuel macron, there are those want to keep him from office too. those who watched the uk vote for brexit and the us vote for trump. and are asking themselves what s the solution
afloat through covid. marine le pen has worked hard to present herself as softer and more responsible. she wants to ban the muslim headscarf in public and give priority to french nationals injobs and housing. but her campaign has focused on poverty and rising prices. mr macron says her programme is racist and her victory would threaten democracy in france. he s always said he s the only one who can keep le pen from power, but after five years of president macron, there are those want to keep him from office too. those who watched the uk vote for brexit and the us vote for trump. and are asking themselves what is the solution for france? this election will hang on those who don t like either emmanuel macron or marine le pen.