After suffering a significant defeat to the far-right National Rally in the recent European parliamentary election, French President Emmanuel Macron made a bold move by dissolving the National Assembly and calling for a snap election. Macron believed that this decision would bring clarity to the political landscape, but it was met with skepticism from many of his fellow citizens.
Concerns have been raised about the potential chaos that could result from Macron’s gamble, even if the far right does not seize full power. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stated that Macron had effectively dismantled the presidential majority with his actions. The outcome of a hung parliament with the National Rally as the leading party seems increasingly likely after the initial round of voting on Sunday.
Despite the uncertainty, Macron’s move has underscored the failure of his strategy to establish a strong center in French politics. This development should serve as a lesson for other European leaders.