French elections: Macron and Le Pen trade jibes as campaigning comes to a denouement

Emmanuel Macron and Le Pen fight for the French presidency. They have opened bitter attacks on each other, as they reach final bid to win, before Sunday’s election.

The decision is to be taken after millions of voters have determined their leader for the vote.

Macron, a centrist, aims on becoming the first sitting president to win a second term in 20 years.

He claimed that Le Pen’s far right was fueled by discontent and posed a threat to a society riven by hatred and division.

She said that it was a proof of his weakness that he used taunts of extremism.

The expected polls give the incumbent president the leverage in the second round run-off.

On the contrary, Le Pen’s party has become closer to power, increasing the stake.

Le Pen’s message to public, “It’s Macron or France”.

The rising cost of living has been the top concern in this election, from electricity bills and grocery shopping to the expense of filling up a car.

It was recognized early on by the Le Pen campaign, which has pledged a government of national unity to combat high living costs, as well as an immigration referendum and a ban on wearing headscarves in public.

Macron argues that Le pen’s idea of a “Europe of nations,” would mean an end to EU.

In a pitch to voters, he referenced the UK’s vote to leave the EU and Donald Trump’s administration.

According to him, millions of people concluded a few hours before the Brexit referendum that voting was pointless.

In 2016, millions of people did the same with Trump. They awoke the next day with a hangover.

Ms Le Pen accused him of disrespecting both her and people who voted for her, claiming that France had been in anarchy for five years.

Civic peace and respect could be restored. “With the same man and the same type of rule, we won’t discover it,” she stated.

Voters are going to vote blank?

For both candidates, the largest challenge is the significant number of people who are planning to cast blank ballots or not vote at all.

Edrisi, a voter, said, “I’m going to vote blank because it’s my national duty to cast my vote, but I still want to show my unhappiness