In a shocking political move, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap parliamentary elections later this month. This announcement comes on the heels of a major victory for his rival Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in the European Parliament vote. Exit polls indicate that the far-right party is poised to win 32% of the vote, more than twice that of President Macron’s Renaissance party.
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Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament and hold elections on June 30 and July 7 was made during a televised address from the Élysée Palace, just an hour after the EU election polls closed. This unexpected move follows a public call from National Rally’s 28-year-old leader, Jordan Bardella, urging the president to seek a fresh mandate.
“I have heard your message,” Macron addressed French voters, “and I will not let it go without a response.” He emphasized the need for “a clear majority in serenity and harmony” and expressed his concern over the far-right’s growing influence across Europe.
Despite being only two years into his second term and lacking a majority in the French parliament, Macron decided that continuing without new popular support would strain the political system too much. The upcoming parliamentary elections, however, will not affect his role as president, which remains secure for another three years.
Marine Le Pen, who has twice lost to Macron in presidential elections, responded quickly, stating that her party was “ready to exercise power, ready to put an end to mass immigration.”
A Bold and Risky Move
Macron’s decision to call a snap election is both surprising and risky. He had other options, such as downplaying the far-right’s victory as a European anomaly and relying on upcoming major events like the European football championship and the Paris Olympics to distract the public from political matters. This was the expected course of action among political commentators in Paris.
However, it seems Macron anticipated this outcome and had already planned his response. Given the predictability of the election results, he had ample time to consider his options. Facing a National Assembly without a majority, any new legislation, including the upcoming budget, could become highly contentious.
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In opting for “clarity,” Macron essentially challenged the National Rally to govern if they have the votes. While he hopes his Renaissance party or other parties can regain ground in the elections, the odds favor another National Rally victory. Such a result could see Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella as Prime Minister.
This bold move underscores the precarious state of French politics and the significant gamble President Macron is taking. The outcome of the elections on June 30 and July 7 will be crucial in determining the future political landscape of France.
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