PARIS

With less than 10 days left until the decisive round two of France’s presidential polls, the two remaining candidates ramped up their campaigns on Tuesday by taking sharp digs at each other and trying to claim new rhetorical ground. 

At a press conference in Normandy, after clinching the runner-up spot with nearly 24% of votes in Sunday’s round one of voting, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen vowed to “revitalize democratic life” with a “referendum revolution."

Taking a dig at incumbent President Emmanuel Macron, who is facing a scandal for paying private consultancy firms through public coffers, Le Pen said she intends to consult the French people, something she said Macron did not. She slammed Macron for causing a "democratic fracture," calling it one of his greatest failures.

She proposed a new initiative under which a half-million citizens could call for a referendum “on any subject,” adding that any measure adopted through such referendums could only be repealed the same way.

The National Rally party candidate said by participating in such popular initiative referendums, the French people can decide what her government’s policy should be. "Everyone, therefore, has an interest in voting for me,” she declared.

She also proposed changing France’s presidential term system from five years, with a two-term limit, to seven years, but limited to a single term.

Macron has also supported seven-year term but said he wants the French people to decide whether or not it should be renewable.

When the media noted the candidates’ apparent partial agreement, Le Pen joked that "Macron will end up voting" for her by force.  

Health and safety

Macron, diving back into the campaign trail after largely staying absent in round one due to his preoccupation with ending the Ukraine war, stressed themes of health and public safety. He defended his government’s performance during the pandemic and voiced gratitude toward front-line workers in the Haut-Rhin department in eastern France.

Attacking Le Pen, he said he had not forgotten her “shallow” criticisms of the government during the worst days of COVID-19. "She wanted to treat people with hydroxychloroquine … vaccinate people with an ineffective Russian vaccine,” Macron recounted.

He appealed to people to not follow political “demagoguery,” as their response in a crisis situation can be fatal.

He also stressed that the current presidential campaign is not just a battle for France, but a battle for Europe, as his far-right opponent seeks Frexit, a French exit from “this Europe of peace.”

Macron said: “I will oppose this project with the greatest strength because it is a return to nationalism and war.”

He said during his first term in office, 30 attempted terrorist attacks were foiled, and further vowed to protect French territory by doubling the presence of security forces within 10 years.