Macron Dissolves National Assembly, Calls Snap Elections

Photo: Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, June 9, dissolved the National Assembly – the lower house of the country's parliament and scheduled early elections for the end of this month. He took this step after his party was defeated in the European Parliament elections by the far-right National Rally party, which supports Marine Le Pen, reports Reuters.

Macron's unexpected decision will largely determine his political future three years before the end of the presidential term. If the "National Association" will receive a parliamentary majority, then Macron will be significantly limited in resolving domestic political issues.

The French president said the EU election results were bad news for his government and he could not ignore them. In an address to the country, he said elections for the lower house of parliament would be held on June 30, with a second round of voting on July 7.

“This is an important time to clarify the situation,” Macron said. “I have heard your message, your concerns, and I will not leave them unanswered… France needs a clear majority to act in peace and harmony.”
Led by 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, the National Rally Party won about 32% of the vote in Sunday's vote, more than double the 15% of the vote Macron's party won according to early exit polls. The French Socialists gained 14%.

Le Pen, who is seeking participation in the 2027 elections in which Macron will not be able to run, welcomed the president's decision.

&quot ;We are ready to take power into our own hands if the French give us confidence in the upcoming national elections" – she said at a rally.

Macron's advisers said the president made the decision after the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on D-Day, when he spoke on the street with people who told him, that they were tired of the endless political infighting in parliament.

Le Pen and Bardella tried to frame the EU elections as a mid-term referendum on Macron's mandate, tapping into the country's discontent over immigration, crime and a two-year inflation crisis.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga