Republicans Appeal to Council of State Over Debate Exclusion
The Republicans have taken legal action after being excluded from a major televised debate set to air on TF1. The party announced on Monday that they have applied to the Council of State for summary proceedings in an effort to be included in the debate scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. This debate currently features only Gabriel Attal, Jordan Bardella, and Manuel Bompard.
Legal Action Against Arcom's Decision
The Republicans are contesting Arcom's decision to reject their request for inclusion in the debate. The party has appealed to the judge of the summary freedom of the Council of State to suspend Arcom's rejection. They are seeking an urgent injunction to compel TF1 to include a representative from their party in the debate on June 25. The hearing for this case is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m., according to a source from the Republicans.
Concerns Over Electoral Fairness
The Republicans argue that their exclusion from the debate is highly detrimental, especially given the rapid pace of the current electoral campaign. Since President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9, parties have had only three weeks to campaign. The debate, which will air at a time of high viewership, is seen as a crucial moment in the campaign for the first round of legislative elections. The Republicans, who secured 61 deputies in the 2022 legislative elections and 7.2% in the recent European elections, believe that Arcom's refusal undermines the pluralistic character of political expression.
- The Republicans have emphasized that Arcom's decision not to include them in the debate is a violation of their fundamental rights. They argue that Arcom failed to respect its obligations and committed a legal error, resulting in a serious and manifestly illegal attack on the party's freedom of expression.
- The party also highlights the importance of having all representative political groups present in the debate to ensure a fair and balanced discussion. They believe that their exclusion will prevent them from effectively communicating their platform and policies to the electorate during this critical time.
