This Wednesday evening at 9 p.m., on CNEWS, will take place the debate between the two rounds between the two finalists in the presidential election, Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron. If this meeting is still eagerly awaited, does it however have a real influence on the votes on Sunday?
If the event has regularly marked the countryside, offering certain cult moments in political history, its importance, electorally speaking, must be qualified. Indeed, the various opinion studies point out that the French who are sure to vote are nearly 90% to have already made their choice.
Illustration in Marignane (Bouches-du-Rhône), where Marine Le Pen came out ahead in the first round (40% of the vote, ahead of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Emmanuel Macron). Here, many residents admit to having made their choice for Sunday. “My decision has been made for a long time and nothing will make me change,” says a resident. Same thing with another: “I won’t change my mind”.
For the few undecided voters, the debate will however be an opportunity to finalize their vote, depending on the ideas put forward by Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen. The theme of purchasing power will be particularly monitored.
The debate between the two rounds, if it is still widely followed by the French (16 million viewers five years ago), can therefore be used to convince the last hesitant voters, but should not have any major influence on Sunday night’s result.