President Macron Calls Early Elections as Le Pen Far-Right Gains Ground in France
By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
3 minutes read. Updated 12:00PM GMT Mon, June 10, 2024
In a political maneuver, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap parliamentary elections following a significant victory for Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in the European Parliament elections. Exit polls indicate that the National Rally is on track to win 32% of the vote, more than double the support for Macron’s Renaissance party.
Addressing the nation from the Élysée Palace, Macron announced that the elections will take place on June 30 and July 7, just weeks before the Paris Olympics. His announcement came shortly after the release of exit polls showing the National Rally’s strong performance.
“I have heard your message and I will not let it go without a response,” Macron told French voters in a televised address. He emphasized the need for “a clear majority in serenity and harmony” and expressed his refusal to ignore the far-right’s growing influence across Europe.
Despite being only two years into his second term, Macron’s party currently lacks a majority in the French parliament, making it difficult to pass legislation. Although the European election results do not directly impact national politics, Macron decided that continuing his presidency without a new mandate would be too risky.
Marine Le Pen, who has twice been defeated by Macron in presidential elections, quickly reacted, stating that her party is ready to exercise power and “ready to put an end to mass immigration.”
Macron’s decision to call snap elections is seen as a high-stakes gamble. Without a parliamentary majority, passing bills in the National Assembly has been challenging, and future legislative efforts, such as the upcoming budget, could be even more contentious.
Macron hopes his Renaissance party can regain ground in the upcoming elections or that other parties will perform better. However, the odds favor another strong showing for the National Rally, potentially leading to a Prime Minister Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella.
This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a politically charged summer in France, with implications that could resonate across Europe.
