French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a decisive step in response to his defeat by Marine Le Pen’s far-right party in the European Union vote.
The Guardian reported that he dissolved his government and called for a snap parliamentary election, causing significant political turmoil in France and potentially giving the far-right a pathway to real political influence.
Acknowledging the sobering EU results, Macron, 46, announced lower house elections on June 30, with a second-round vote slated for July 7. Should Le Pen’s National Rally secure a parliamentary majority, Macron’s authority over domestic affairs would be significantly diminished.
“This is a critical moment for clarity,” Macron declared in a national address. “I have heard your message, your concerns, and I will address them… France requires a clear majority to act with tranquility and unity.”
With the RN led by the charismatic 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, the party garnered around 32% of the vote in Sunday’s election, more than doubling Macron’s ticket at 15%, according to exit polls. The Socialists trailed closely behind Macron with 14%, as reported by Reuters.
Having been re-elected in 2022, Macron’s current term extends until spring 2027, rendering him ineligible for another candidacy. Bardella wasted no time in urging Macron to call for snap legislative elections, emphasizing that French voters had expressed a desire for change.
Le Pen, widely viewed as the frontrunner for the 2027 election, welcomed Macron’s decision, expressing readiness to assume power should the French electorate entrust her party in the upcoming national elections.
Presently, Macron’s Renaissance party holds 169 lower house seats out of 577, while the RN has 88.
If the RN secures a majority, Macron would retain control over defense and foreign policy but would lose authority over setting the domestic agenda, ranging from economic policy to security.
