Macron stressed the importance of legislative elections, offering French citizens a pivotal role in shaping their nation’s destiny. He sounded a warning against the perilous ascent of nationalists and demagogues, highlighting the threat not only to France but also to Europe’s standing in the global arena.
While the French presidency remains uncontested, the upcoming vote, scheduled for June 30, will serve as a de facto referendum on Macron’s administration.
Initial projections from the European Parliament elections on Sunday indicated a backlash against ruling centrists, with far-right parties gaining significant support. This trend was particularly evident in France, where President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition suffered devastating losses, leading him to dissolve the National Assembly and announce snap elections.
Dissolving the National Assembly is Macron’s way of acknowledging criticism and attempting to address it. He may be banking on the idea that protest votes were prominent in the European Parliament elections, and that French citizens may cast their votes differently when focusing on national issues.
However, this strategy is seen as “extremely risky” by Michel Duclos, a former French diplomat at the Institut Montaigne think tank. Duclos warns that there is a strong possibility of the far-right National Rally winning by a landslide, potentially leading to Bardella becoming the next prime minister. This scenario, known as “cohabitation” in France, where the president and prime minister come from opposing parties, is criticized for causing political gridlock.
Duclos suggests that Macron may hope that being in power could diminish Bardella’s popularity. However, he warns that even in such a scenario, another far-right figure, possibly Le Pen, could win the presidency in 2027, breaking a long-standing taboo in France regarding far-right governments.