After the National Rally became France’s largest party by far in the European elections, President Emmanuel Macron announced that new national elections will be held this summer.
– I have full confidence in the ability of the French people to make the right choice for themselves and for future generations, the left-liberal appeals.
Macron’s party, the Renaissance, will be the second largest, but will only get about 15% of the vote – while Marine Le Pen’s National Rally will be more than twice as large, with over 30% of the vote.
– Emmanuel Macron is a weakened president tonight, said National Rally’s top candidate Jordan Bardella after the results were announced.
Macron himself admitted after the defeat that he “cannot pretend that nothing has happened” and that new elections will therefore be held in two rounds over the summer – on June 30 and July 7.
– I have decided to return to you the choice of our parliamentary future, he said.
Des élections législatives se tiendront le 30 juin et le 7 juillet.
J’ai confiance en la capacité du peuple français à faire le choix le plus juste pour lui-même et pour les générations futures.
Ma seule ambition est d'être utile à notre pays que j'aime tant.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 10, 2024
“Already crowned by the people”
The National Rally is delighted with the announcement and Marine Le Pen says it is “ready to take power if the French people gives us its confidence”.
– We are ready to use our power to put an end to mass immigration and to prioritize purchasing power to make France live again.
Macron also claims to have “full confidence” that the French will “make the right choice” and says his “only ambition is to be useful to our country”.
However, many observers are skeptical that Macron’s party has any chance of winning an election so soon after its defeat in the European elections, and that the National Rally has a good chance of taking power in France. At the same time, there is a risk that various liberal, anti-nationalist and left-wing parties will join forces and form alliances to “stop” the nationalists.
Jordan Bardella, the party’s top vote-getter in the European elections, is also being touted as the most likely prime minister if National Unity wins the election.
– Jordan Bardella came first in all the constituencies outside Paris. He has already been crowned by the people, he will lead our campaign. We are ready not only to vote, but also to govern, said party vice-president Sébastien Chenu.
🔴 Nous sommes le premier parti de France ! 🇫🇷
Merci aux millions de Français qui nous ont largement placés en tête des élections européennes !
La victoire d'hier en appelle de nouvelles. Les 30 juin et 7 juillet prochains, allez voter et prenez le pouvoir ! pic.twitter.com/GsDUgh3Kel
— Rassemblement National (@RNational_off) June 10, 2024
