French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday the dissolution of the lower house of the French parliament, the National Assembly, and the scheduling of snap parliamentary elections.
“I am dissolving this evening the National Assembly. I will soon sign a decree to hold new parliamentary elections, the first round of which will be held on June 30 and the second on July 7,” Macron said.
Earlier, Jordan Bardella, leader of the opposition party National Rally, which recently won the European Parliament elections in France, urged Macron to call for early parliamentary elections.
According to polls, the National Rally was leading with 32%, while Macron’s Renaissance party was trailing significantly with 15.4%.
“We solemnly ask him to state this new political reality … and organize new parliamentary elections,” Bardella said, speaking to supporters of his party after the preliminary results of the European Parliament elections in France emerged.
Marine Le Pen, former president of the National Rally and current chairwoman of its parliamentary faction, welcomed the French leader’s decision.
She addressed party supporters, expressing that the National Rally was prepared to take power in the upcoming elections and aimed to prioritize reducing immigration, boosting purchasing power, and revitalizing France.
“The centre is holding, but it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the centre-right head of the European Commission, now on course for a second term.
