Voters told French President Emmanuel Macron to focus more on the needs of his country in a call-in radio show on Tuesday amid criticism that his last-minute election campaign has been too dominated by the conflict in Ukraine.
Macron, who has spared no effort to mediate between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, entered the presidential election race just a month before the first round and has kept the number of campaign events to a minimum.
A caller who identified herself as Yvonne, a 53-year-old nurse from Provence, told Macron she felt he spent too much time on the conflict in Ukraine and neglected regular people like her.
"I have the impression that our president is not here for us. Ukraine has asked you to come. Beyond the fact I'm not sure that's safe, I want to say we're here, we're a country, we get up every day for work, and I feel I have a president who doesn't know my life," she said on France Bleu radio.
Although Macron's diplomatic efforts over the Ukraine crisis have given him a boost in opinion polls and he is projected to win a second term, he has also been criticised by political opponents for refusing to take parts in TV debates with them.
Sticking to a communication strategy based on solemn nationwide TV addresses and social media posts, he has given few media interviews and presented his manifesto less than a month before the first round on April 10, leaving little time to discuss his proposals.
Ukraine's former president Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday Macron should go to Kyiv to show his support.
"Our president is very busy, that's clear. We will have no public debate before the elections," the caller said.
Others who also called in to the show asked him about the lack of doctors in rural areas or how the elderly are treated in retirement homes.
In response Macron defended his record, telling the French nurse he had increased their salaries during the COVID pandemic and was training more medical professionals, which was taking time to be felt on the ground.
"I have heard the message. I want to tell you, Yvonne: don't give up. I know it's very hard," he said on France Bleu radio.
In the latest IFOP poll, Macron is seen coming top in the first round with 28% of the votes, about ten points ahead of far-right leader Marine Le Pen. He is seen defeating her in the second round. Turnout is projected at a record low of 69.5%.
(Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Raissa Kasolowsky)
