French election candidates clash over economy and cost of living

The costs and benefits of handing out state support to voters were at the heart of a debate between candidates hoping to lead France's next government.

Incumbent Gabriel Attal of President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party sought to depict his main opponents as dangerous for the economy as they condemned his perceived failure to help citizens struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

The lineup was notable for the youth of the main participants - Attal is 35, his hard-right opponent Jordan Bardella 28, and the leftwing Manuel Bompard 10 years older.

"The difference between my competitors and me is that, as prime minister, I don't want to lie to the French. I don't want to promise them the moon," Attal said in the televised debate.

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Opinion polls show the far-right National Rally (RN) winning the two-round election on June 30 and July 7. An unexpected alliance between leftist parties under the New Popular Front banner is also polling ahead of Macron's centrist coalition.

Bardella, whose success in leading his National Rally party through successful European elections sparked the dissolution of parliament this month, hit back at the government's record in office.

And Bompard said both parties had let down voters, accusing Bardella of watering down state support proposals.

The National Rally has proposed ditching sales tax on energy as well as lowering the retirement age and ending income tax for under-30s. 

Renaissance says it is the only party which can be trusted with the economy and Macron himself has warned a victory for either of the "extremes" could put France on a path towards civil war.

The New Popular Front says it will borrow more and raise tax on the wealthy to fund handouts across age groups - from better pensions through higher pay for government workers and increased youth benefits.

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