(Radio France) Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far right, and hardline Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin are to clash Thursday evening on public TV channel France 2 in a debate seen as [a] litmus test for the 2022 presidential election. The main topics: Islamism, immigration and security.
The debate comes as opinion polls show Le Pen is likely to face off again against incumbent Emmanuel Macron in next year’s presidential contest.
Le Pen’s National Rally made its strongest showing to date in the 2017 vote.
By installing hardline Darmanin, a man of North African, working-class, background and an uncompromising commitment to France’s secular values, as interior minister in July, Macron signalled his intent to win over conservative voters.
