News Brief
French President Macron Dissolves Parliament, Calls For Snap Elections After European Union Polls Defeat
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday (9 June) that he was dissolving parliament and calling snap legislative elections following the far-right's significant success over his centrist alliance in the European Union (EU) polls.
The first round of elections for the lower house National Assembly is scheduled for 30 June, with the second round on 7 July, Macron stated in an address to the nation.
Acknowledging the outcome of the EU elections, Macron described it as "not a good result for parties who defend Europe."
He noted that far-right parties, including the top-scoring National Rally (RN), managed to secure nearly 40 percent of the vote in the EU elections in France.
"Far-right parties... are progressing everywhere on the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself," Macron said.
Macron emphasised the seriousness of his decision, calling it an act of confidence in the French people to make the best choice for themselves and future generations.
According to projections from several polling firms, the RN's list, led by Jordan Bardella, garnered between 32.3 and 33 percent of the vote, while Macron's alliance, led by his Renaissance party, received between 14.8 and 15.2 percent.
Macron also warned about the potential for the EU to be "blocked" by a significant far-right presence in the European Parliament after the recent elections.
The election results are seen as crucial as attention now shifts to France's 2027 presidential vote, where Macron is ineligible to run again, and Marine Le Pen, the figurehead of the RN, believes she has her best-ever chance of winning the Elysee Palace.
