The legislative campaign is in full swing. The left and right blocs are in the lead in voting intentions and the presidential majority is slightly behind. To try to revive his party, the President of the Republic has the right to campaign, but must respect certain very strict conditions.
It is important to note the difference between the moments when Emmanuel Macron speaks as president and those as a politician like any other. When he wears the presidential hat, he is president of all French people. He therefore does not no right, in theory, to favor one side more than another, especially when State resources are involved. Otherwise, it’s the second scenario. Emmanuel Macron, politician, there, he can campaign, but clearly distinguishing this from his activities as president.
This means that as soon as it is clearly in the campaign, everything must be declared as such. An example, his press conference last week. Two hours with nearly 200 journalists. First, speaking time. He speaks as a representative of his party, Renaissance. His opponents therefore have the right to the same speaking time. It is the rule. Then the cost, room rental, microphone installation, security, cafes, everything. All of this is campaign spending. There is no question that it is the French who pay for Renaissance. And it goes even further because even the collaborators of the Élysée who accompany the president must take days off if they too participate in the campaign.
A gray area
In reality, it is not always that simple. There is a whole gray area that, in every election, is the subject of debate. During the last European elections, everything a speech by Emmanuel Macron on Europe was added to the speaking time of Valerie Hayer, the majority candidate at the last minute. A few years ago, during the legislative elections, it was an intervention live on television for six minutes, hastily organized on the tarmac of Orly airport.
Intervention to call to vote charged to all majority candidates 20,000 euros, divided between each. That was almost 100 euros per head. But ultimately, it is proof that a president cannot do anything during the campaign.
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