By The Smartencyclopedia Staff Writer with Agencies
In a dramatic political maneuver, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap legislative elections following a significant surge by the far right in the European Parliament elections. The National Rally, led by Jordan Bardella, is projected to secure a substantial portion of France’s seats in the European Parliament, dealing a significant blow to Macron’s pro-European party.
Macron, acknowledging the new political reality, announced the dissolution of parliament and the need for fresh elections. This move is a calculated risk, as it follows a clear expression of voter dissatisfaction with his policies. Macron hopes that the national elections will unite voters against the far right in a way that the European elections did not.
The decision to call elections is seen as a high-stakes gamble that could potentially result in the far right leading a government for the first time since World War II. With three years left in his final presidential term, Macron may have to navigate a government led by a party that opposes many of his policies.
The far-right National Rally rebranded from its earlier National Front days, is expected to win up to 30 of France’s 81 seats in the European Parliament, securing more than 30% of the vote. This success is the culmination of a campaign to appeal to moderate voters and shed the party’s previous image of extremism.
Macron’s Renaissance party, on the other hand, has garnered less than 15% of the vote, trailing just ahead of the Socialists. The leftist France Unbowed party and the conservative Républicains are projected to finish with around 10% and 7% of the vote, respectively.
The far right’s victory in the European elections prompted Macron to call for snap elections, fearing legislative paralysis and his potential status as a lame-duck leader. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet emphasized Macron’s responsiveness to voter sentiment, highlighting the decision as a direct reaction to the clear vote by the French.
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné defended Macron’s decision, dismissing suggestions that it was a reckless gamble. However, the deeply divided left and the increasing normalization of the National Rally present significant challenges. The far right’s anti-immigration agenda has gained traction, and the party now represents the largest parliamentary opposition group in the lower house.
Historically, France’s two-round election system has made it difficult for extremist parties to gain ground. However, this strategy may falter in the face of the National Rally’s growing popularity. In the last general election, the party secured more than ten times the seats it had won five years earlier.
Far-left politician Francois Ruffin has called for unity among leftist leaders under a “Popular Front” banner to counter the far right. Meanwhile, Socialist candidate Raphaël Glucksmann criticized Macron for what he sees as a dangerous concession to the National Rally’s demands for parliamentary dissolution.
Marine Le Pen, former leader of the National Rally, expressed readiness to take power, stating, “We are ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections.” Bardella, her successor, has quickly risen to prominence, particularly among young voters, and has led the party to the brink of governmental power.
If the National Rally or a coalition achieves a majority in the general election, Macron would be forced to appoint a prime minister from that majority. Such a “cohabitation” arrangement could lead to significant divergences in domestic policy, potentially making France’s governance challenging.
As France braces for another election cycle, the political landscape remains uncertain. Macron’s bold decision underscores the high stakes involved as the country navigates its complex political terrain.