President Emmanuel Macron has called snap parliamentary election later this month following a significant victory for his rival Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in the European Parliament vote. The far-right party is on course to win 32% of the vote, according to exit polls, more than twice that of Macron’s Renaissance party.
In a televised address from the Élysée Palace an hour after voting closed and exit polls were announced, Macron declared the dissolution of parliament, with the two rounds of voting set for 30 June and 7 July, a few weeks before the Paris Olympics. He stated, “I have heard your message, and I will not let it go without a response.” Emphasizing the need for a “clear majority in serenity and harmony,” he expressed his concern over the far-right’s progress “everywhere in the continent.”
Now barely two years into his second term, Macron already lacks a majority in the French parliament. Although the European vote theoretically does not affect national politics, Macron evidently decided that continuing his mandate without a new popular consultation would place too much strain on the system. The upcoming parliamentary elections will not impact Macron’s position as president, as his term continues for another three years.
Marine Le Pen
After Emmanuel Macron twice defeated her in presidential elections, Marine Le Pen promptly responded, asserting that her party is “ready to exercise power, ready to put an end to mass immigration.” This announcement came shortly after Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of National Rally, had openly called for parliamentary elections.
Calling a snap election is a significant surprise and a considerable risk for President Macron. He could have chosen to proceed without drastic action, interpreting the far-right’s success as an anomaly in the European context that would be rectified in more critical national elections. Alternatively, he might have relied on upcoming major events like the European football championship in Germany and the Paris Olympics to divert public attention from politics temporarily. This was the expectation among political commentators in Paris.
However, it appears that Macron anticipated this situation and had planned his response in advance, opting for a bold strategy that could potentially redefine the political landscape in France ahead of these major national and international events.
