French presidential candidates clash over economy, wages at Medef debate

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a candidate in the upcoming French presidential election, issued a stark warning to business leaders, urging them to raise wages to prevent France from falling into recession. Speaking at the first major debate organized by the Medef employers' association, Mélenchon stated, "I am alerting you: the Lecornu budget, plus food inflation, if you do not increase wages, France will fall into recession."

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I am alerting you: the Lecornu budget, plus food inflation, if you do not increase wages, France will fall into recession.

The debate, held at Roland-Garros and broadcast by LCI, brought together the seven candidates leading in opinion polls. Marine Le Pen, currently the frontrunner, noted a "general consensus on the gravity of the economic situation" in the country. She called for unity among employees and entrepreneurs for France's recovery, even suggesting a "renaissance of France."

Gabriel Attal, representing the ruling Renaissance party, is legally contesting Le Pen's use of the term "renaissance" in her campaign slogan. Attal, vying with Edouard Philippe for the central bloc's candidacy, criticized Mélenchon's party, calling for apologies regarding a Member of the European Parliament's remarks that described French entrepreneurs as "harmful and parasitic."

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There is a general consensus on the gravity of the economic situation.

Edouard Philippe, a candidate from the Horizons party, addressed the tendency to focus solely on problems, stating, "I am convinced that you do not win an election, but above all, you do not pull a country out of a rut by simply saying what is wrong and saying that it will be difficult." He also challenged the proposal to cancel a portion of France's public debt, warning it could lead to the country being "financially banned."

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I am convinced that you do not win an election, but above all, you do not pull a country out of a rut by simply saying what is wrong and saying that it will be difficult.

Social democrat Raphaël Glucksmann expressed a strong desire to protect France from becoming a "theme park for American tycoons, Russian oligarchs, Chinese Communist Party dignitaries, or Gulf emirs," advocating for his "new patriotic contract."

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I do not want for my country, France, a destiny as a theme park for American tycoons, Russian oligarchs, Chinese Communist Party dignitaries, or Gulf emirs.