Ankara: The five candidates vying to represent France's center-left in the 2027 presidential election split over possible cooperation with France Unbowed during their first televised debate Wednesday evening.

According to Anadolu Agency,Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, former presidential candidate Segolene Royal and lawmaker Emmanuel Maurel declined to rule out cooperation with the far-left group in legislative elections.

However, European Parliament member Raphael Glucksmann and lawmaker Jerome Guedj opposed such a deal.

Glucksmann said there would be no agreement with France Unbowed in either the presidential or legislative elections, arguing that an alliance with Jean-Luc Melenchon's party would weaken the left's chances of defeating the far right.

Faure, in turn, urged the candidates to focus on the prospect of a far-right victory, while Royal and Maurel argued against ruling out cooperation across the left.

The candidates also disagreed over Gaza.

Royal argued that the actions of Israel's current leaders should be considered in discussions about rising antisemitism and called for more Israeli and Jewish voices to speak out against what is happening in Gaza.

Guedj and Glucksmann objected to Royal's call, arguing that Jewish people should not be expected to answer for the policies of the Israeli government.

Faure, meanwhile, said the term 'genocide' should be used to describe events in Gaza, a characterization Glucksmann has declined to adopt.

Members of the parties taking part in the primary will vote online on Oct. 9-10. A second round, if needed, will be held on Oct. 16-17.

People who are not members of participating parties can also register to vote for a pound 15 ($17) fee.

The winner will stand as the social-democratic candidate in next year's presidential election.

President Emmanuel Macron cannot seek a third consecutive term.