Macron Dissolves National Assembly, Calls Snap Election

Paris, The Gulf Observer: French President Emanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly and called for a snap legislative election following his party’s significant defeat in the European Parliament elections. In a televised address from the Elysee Palace on Sunday, Macron expressed deep concern over the rise of far-right parties across Europe, including France.

“Far-right parties… are progressing everywhere in the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself,” Macron declared.

The European Parliament elections saw far-right parties, notably the National Rally (RN), securing nearly 40 percent of the vote in France. This alarming trend prompted Macron to take decisive action by dissolving the National Assembly and scheduling new elections. The two-round vote is set for June 30 and July 7.

“I’ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly,” Macron stated.

Preliminary results from Sunday indicated a substantial lead for the RN, with their list led by Jordan Bardella, 28, garnering between 32.3 and 33 percent of the vote. In contrast, Macron’s pro-European centrist alliance, spearheaded by his Renaissance party, secured only 14.8 to 15.2 percent, according to projections from several polling firms.

Macron had previously cautioned that a significant far-right presence in the European Parliament could impede the EU’s functionality. The current election outcome has heightened concerns about the political landscape leading up to France’s 2027 presidential election, where Macron is ineligible to run, and RN leader Marine Le Pen is poised for her strongest bid yet for the presidency.

The dissolution of the National Assembly and the upcoming snap elections are seen as Macron’s strategic move to regain control and counter the growing influence of far-right factions within France and across Europe.