Paris, France – President Emmanuel Macron of France has made a bold political move by dissolving the country’s parliament, the National Assembly, and calling for a snap election following a stunning defeat for his Renaissance party in the recent European parliamentary elections.
After the far-right National Rally (RN) party emerged as the winner in the polls with 31.5% of the vote, more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance party, the president faced mounting pressure to address the gap between the two parties. In response to calls for dissolution from RN leader Jordan Bardella, Macron announced the decision to dissolve the French lower house and hold parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7.
In a surprise address to the nation, Macron expressed trust in the French people to make an informed decision about their parliamentary future through the upcoming elections. This move marks the end of a political cycle and signals the beginning of a post-Macron era in French politics, according to Bardella.
The upcoming elections will see the French electorate choosing members for the 577-seat National Assembly, with separate elections scheduled for the country’s presidency in 2027. Macron’s handling of the recent defeat and his decision to dissolve parliament have drawn contrasting reactions from political figures like Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of RN.
Le Pen welcomed the decision to hold elections, expressing readiness to take power if the French people place their trust in her party. She outlined key priorities, including the defense of French interests, addressing mass immigration, and boosting the purchasing power of citizens through reindustrialization efforts.
Macron’s move to dissolve parliament comes amid challenges in ruling with a relative majority, leading to the use of constitutional provisions to push legislation without a vote. The decision to dissolve parliament echoes a similar move in 1997 that resulted in a shift of power from Jacques Chirac to the Socialists under Lionel Jospin.
As France prepares for a fresh political landscape, voices within the presidential majority emphasize the importance of engaging with the electorate and countering far-right ideologies with a focus on persuasion and conviction. The upcoming elections will test the resilience of Macron’s support base and determine the direction of French politics in the post-Macron era.