On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the program "Quelle époque!" on France 2 was the scene of a heated exchange between two former Prime Ministers: Élisabeth Borne and Dominique de Villepin. Invited by Léa Salamé to debate major international issues, the two political figures aired their disagreements on France's role in the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Gaza and the Middle East: A Hot Debate
Dominique de Villepin, former foreign minister under Jacques Chirac, defended the positions he outlined in his recent op-ed, " Open Gaza Now ," published in Libération . He denounced the inaction of the international community and urged Israel to open Gaza's borders to allow for an assessment of the damage. Villepin also criticized France's handling of the conflict, lamenting a policy clouded by contradictory statements and a lack of bold initiatives.
These remarks drew a strong reaction from Élisabeth Borne, former Prime Minister under Emmanuel Macron . Referring to French diplomatic efforts, she recalled the appointment of Jean-Yves Le Drian as special envoy and emphasized France's consistent position, which insists on respect for international law. She accused her predecessor of proposing unrealistic "magic solutions" in the face of the complexity of the situation.
The tone rose when Villepin hammered home that French diplomacy should fight more for its principles. “The massacres in the Gaza Strip, I do not accept them,” he asserted forcefully. Borne, visibly exasperated, replied: “I do not accept them either. And then? What is your solution?”
Ukraine: Opposing views on French strategy
The Ukrainian conflict has also been a source of disagreement. Villepin warned against the unilateral approach of the United States and the potential return of Donald Trump to power, arguing that France and Europe have only two months to establish clear red lines. "We must work with the Ukrainians and the Europeans to prevent Ukraine from being forced to cede its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he declared.
Élisabeth Borne defended the actions taken under her mandate, in particular the European sanctions against Russia. However, she was confronted with criticism from Villepin, who deplored the ineffectiveness of these measures in the face of the circumventions observed. "Can we be satisfied with a series of sanctions when no lasting solution is in sight?" he asked.
This confrontation illustrated two opposing conceptions of French diplomacy: that of a pragmatic Élisabeth Borne attached to the continuity of current efforts, and that of a more idealistic Dominique de Villepin, advocating independence and a strong role as mediator for France.
