French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the dissolution of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament, following his party’s European election defeat. New parliamentary elections are set for June 30 and July 7.
Understanding the Dissolution of the Assemblée Nationale
Article 12 of the French Constitution allows the president to end the term of the Assemblée Nationale early, moving it from 2027 to 2024 in this instance.
Dissolution is a tool used to resolve institutional crises or gridlock, allowing the president to address issues when the presidency and parliamentary majority are at an impasse.
Conditions and Exceptions
Who: Only the president can dissolve the Assemblée Nationale.
When: A year must pass between the previous elections and dissolution.
How: The president consults the prime minister and the parliament presidents before dissolution.
Historical Precedents and Consequences
The early elections align legislative terms out of sync with presidential terms, marking a departure from past practices. This move aims to realign election cycles and avoid governmental gridlock.