Macron fends off le pen in ill tempered french presidential debate

A great summary of a significant event!

On May 3, 2017, the two top contenders in the French presidential election, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, faced off in a highly anticipated and often contentious debate at the Marseilles Grand Théâtre. The debate was marked by strong emotions, personal attacks, and a lack of civility, which was widely criticized by the French public and media.

Emmanuel Macron, the centrist candidate and eventual winner of the election, was accused by Le Pen of being a "liar" and a "fake" who was out of touch with the French people. Le Pen, the far-right candidate, was criticized by Macron for her anti-immigrant and anti-EU rhetoric, which was seen as divisive and xenophobic.

The debate was marked by a series of personal attacks, with both candidates accusing each other of being dishonest and lacking in leadership qualities. Macron accused Le Pen of being a "dictator" who wanted to impose her own views on the French people, while Le Pen accused Macron of being a "globalist" who was beholden to international interests rather than the French people.

Despite the heated tone of the debate, Macron was widely seen as the winner, as he was able to maintain his composure and present a more moderate and inclusive vision for France. Le Pen, on the other hand, was criticized for her aggressive and divisive rhetoric, which was seen as a turn-off for many French voters.

The debate was watched by millions of people in France and around the world, and was widely covered in the media. It was seen as a key moment in the French presidential election, which ultimately saw Macron defeat Le Pen in the second round of voting on May 7, 2017.