China News Agency, Paris, April 2 (Reporter Li Yang) French President Emmanuel Macron held a large-scale campaign rally on the 2nd local time, intending to strengthen interaction with voters, further boost the election, and step up preparations for re-election.
On April 2, local time, French President Emmanuel Macron held a large-scale campaign rally in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, with the intention of strengthening interaction with voters, further boosting the election, and preparing for re-election.
He delivered a two-and-a-half-hour speech at the rally, focusing on his core policy propositions.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Yang
The rally took place at the La Defense Arena in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris.
Organizers said more than 30,000 people attended the rally.
The reporter saw at the scene that several staff members handed out French flags and EU flags to the public; placards with Macron's re-election slogan "Macron with you" have been placed on many seats.
On April 2, local time, French President Emmanuel Macron held a large-scale campaign rally in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, with the intention of strengthening interaction with voters, further boosting the election, and preparing for re-election.
Macron's wife Brigitte, French National Assembly Speaker Ferrand, Prime Minister Castel and others cheered Macron at the scene.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Yang
Macron's wife Brigitte, French National Assembly Speaker Ferrand, Prime Minister Castel, former Prime Minister Philippe and the main high-level figures of the ruling Republican Progress Party were all cheering for Macron at the scene.
Macron then arrived at the rally and delivered a two-and-a-half-hour speech amid cheers from supporters, focusing on his core policy propositions.
In terms of internal affairs, Macron once again emphasized the need to promote the reform of the retirement system, pointing out that "only work can bring progress to the country", reiterating that the legal retirement age will be postponed to 65 years old, and the unemployment rate will be further reduced.
On April 2, local time, French President Emmanuel Macron held a large-scale campaign rally in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, with the intention of strengthening interaction with voters, further boosting the election, and preparing for re-election.
Organizers said more than 30,000 people attended the rally.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Yang
Macron also talked about social equality, saying that if he is re-elected, he will promote child protection, gender equality and increase aid to single mothers.
He also expressed his special thanks to the medical staff who have been on the front line of the fight against the epidemic for a long time.
On external issues, Macron focused on his European outlook, emphasizing that "we are proud to be Europeans and proud to fly the EU flag next to the French flag."
Speaking of the Ukraine crisis, he thanked the families and municipalities that have hosted Ukrainian refugees.
This is the first large-scale campaign rally since Macron officially announced his re-election campaign in early March, and now there are only eight days left before the first round of voting in the 2022 French presidential election.
Several of his opponents have held large campaign rallies.
Macron has devoted a lot of time and energy to the Ukraine crisis for the past month.
According to the latest polls, Macron's approval rating remains at the top, but the gap with his main rival, Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right party "National League" in France, is narrowing.
Macron's approval rating in the first round of voting was 28.5%, while Marine Le Pen's approval rating was 22%.
If the two go to the second round of voting, Macron will have 53 percent support and Marine Le Pen with 47 percent.
(over)