On Monday, France began preparing for elections after President Emmanuel Macron called for an unexpected snap legislative election following a devastating defeat in the European Parliament to the far-right party of Marine Le Pen.
Macron’s unconventional decision may give the far-right major political muscle they have not had in years and render his presidency toothless three years before its end.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said this will be “the most important parliamentary election for France and the French people in the history of the Fifth Republic” on RTL radio
The legislative vote will be held on 30th June, less than a month before Paris Olympic Games begin, with a second round taking place on July 7.
The result is difficult to anticipate. The outcome will probably depend on how loyal left-wing and center-right voters are to blocking the far-right from power.
This was an attempt by Macron to make something out of nothing as he reclined in his weak position and compelled National Rally (RN) into election mode before it hoped.
Macron’s move however appeared to have caught some far-right leaders unawares.
“We didn’t think it would be immediately after the European elections, even if we wanted it to be,” deputy chairman of RN Sebastien Chenu told RTL Radio. “Elections are rarely a gift and in this context, they aren’t.”
He urged rightist members of parliament from outside RN to join forces with them against Macron and added that their handsome young president Jordan Bardella, 28 years old, would stand for prime minister.
According to exit polls cited by Bardella himself on Sunday night (26 May), RN got about 32% of ballots cast while Macron received half as much at 15%. The Socialists were just behind him at 14%.
Out of a total of 577 seats in the Lower House; Macrons Renaissance has only 169 while RN has 88 seats representing them currently.
If RN wins majority, Macron would still be responsible for defense and foreign policies while the domestic agenda from economic policy to security will be set outside his control.
Macron’s close aide said “We’re going for the win” adding that the President was hoping to mobilize those who abstained from voting on Sunday.
According to a source, “There is audacity in this decision, risk-taking, which has always been part of our political DNA.”
