The meeting was set for Wednesday, July 3, at 1:15 p.m., at the Ouest-France space in Rennes.
Jacques François, candidate of the National Rally, and Mathilde Hignet, outgoing deputy and candidate of the New Popular Front, were invited to introduce themselves and compare their proposals in front of the camera during the traditional debate between the two rounds, organized jointly by TVR et West France.
This will ultimately not take place for the 4the constituency of Ille-et-Vilaine: Mathilde Hignet declined.
“Anti-democratic and disrespectful,” says Jacques François (RN)
His competitor does not fail to step up to the plate. “I am extremely disappointed in Mrs Hignet who refuses to debate with me. In my eyes, this is undemocratic and disrespectful. Is she afraid? I don’t know,” says Jacques François.
A questioning amplified by the same configuration for the debates on the airwaves with our colleagues from France Bleue and Radio Laser. He intends to appear on both stations at the scheduled times.
“I will take on these appointments. It would have been good if she were there. I am very tolerant. I would like to have her in front of me to discuss. Her refusal does not enter into the democratic field,” concludes Jacques François.
“I refuse to debate with someone who has not campaigned”
Contacted, Mathilde Hignet explains her choice. “We are now in a duel in which I am the only Republican candidate. I refuse to debate with someone who did not campaign in the first round and who is going to come and spread his racist and xenophobic program now,” argues the outgoing MP who says she wants to concentrate “door-to-door and amplify the republican front to block the RN.”
Stéphane Besnier, information director of TVRexplain “respect everyone’s choice and reasons” but regrets the lack of debate in substance “which through exchanges allows us to give color to the constituency.”
For the record, the candidates came out neck and neck at the end of the first round with a difference of 136 votes (32.3% for the RN and 32.10% for the NFP), ahead of the candidate of the presidential majority (24.06%) who has since withdrawn.
