Macron calls snap election in France after humiliating defeat in EU vote
FRENCH president Emmanuel Macron has called for snap elections after a heavy defeat in the European Parliamentary vote.
Macron has dissolved the National Assembly as he has warned that the far-right are threatening the future of France and Europe.
In an address to the nation from the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said: “I’ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly.
“This decision is serious, heavy. But it is above all an act of confidence.”
The legislative elections are set to take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.
The move comes after the exit polls predicted that the far-right National Rally Party has a strong chance of beating Macron’s pro-European centrists.
Marine Le Pen‘s National Rally gained 31.1 per cent of the popular vote – a double of Macron’s Renaissance coalition.
The voter turnout at the elections was 51 per cent but the number might change as more member states were yet to be included.
Jordan Bardella, the National Rally’s lead candidate, has backed Macron’s call as he took a dig at the French leader.
The 28-year-old said: “Emmanuel Macron is this evening a weakened president.
“The president cannot remain deaf to the message sent by the French tonight.”
Le pen was ecstatic following the announcement as she is hoping to replace Macron in 2027 when his second term comes to an end.
She said at the rally: “The French people have sent a very clear message.
“By placing the National Rally list at a historic level, the French people have sent a very clear message to Macronist power, which is disintegrating, election after election.”
The extreme right are projected to dominate the next European Parliament which traditionally has more members from the conservative European People’s party.
Le Pen has been a runner up in two previous presidential elections in 2022 and 2017.
Macron's snap election is a huge political gamble
By Ryan Sabey
French President Emmanuel Macron is taking a huge political gamble by calling these elections in France
The ball is now in the court of the French people to see whether this huge risk pays off for the president.
The French leader addressed the public this evening that he has made the decision to dissolve parliament as he wants to stop the far right in its tracks.
It draws parallels with Rishi Sunak in the United kingdom who also has gone to the country seeking a new mandate
The gambit comes as he fears the future of not only France but of Europe is being threatened by the far-right.
He recognises that he is taking a huge risk when he calls this decision “serious and heavy”.
Macron has decided this is his only option following difficult results for both his party and other centrists parties in European elections.
In his statement, Macron said the rise of nationalists was a danger for the French nation.
For Macron, this move could decide his political future which could come within weeks.
She took over the reigns from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded the party in 1972 and ran for presidency in 2002.
She has managed to change the National Rally’s image in the eyes of the French public after years of demonisation.
The sinister reputation followed the National Rally after it was founded by members who were linked to Nazi forces during the Second World War.
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