French President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition is facing turmoil as fears grow that his presence could harm their chances in the upcoming snap legislative election. Macron’s Besoin d’Europe coalition suffered a setback in the recent European Parliament elections, winning only 14.6% of the vote against the far-right National Rally’s 31.37%. The coalition called for a snap parliamentary vote to regain ground lost to the right, but members now worry that Macron’s involvement may backfire.
Key figures within Macron’s coalition are advising him to step back from the campaign to avoid further damage. Francois Bayrou, Macron’s ally and leader of the Modem party, has urged the president to limit his involvement. Other lawmakers are distancing themselves from Macron as the first round of legislative polls approaches on June 30. Polls show Macron is perceived as out of touch, leading coalition members to voice concerns about his approach to the campaign.
“The more he talks, the more we lose points,” an advisor to a member of parliament from Macron’s party shared.
Despite warnings, Macron plans to intensify his campaign, with three media appearances per week including a major speech. This strategy is viewed as risky by coalition partners who fear it may further impact their prospects in the election.