Emmanuel Macron dissolves national assembly, calls snap elections in France after EU poll shock
French President Emmanuel Macron Photograph:( AFP )
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Projections published by several polling firms showed that the RN's list gained between 32.3 and 33 per cent of the vote compared with 14.8 to 15.2 per cent for Macron's alliance
Projections published by several polling firms showed that the RN's list gained between 32.3 and 33 per cent of the vote compared with 14.8 to 15.2 per cent for Macron's alliance
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (Jun 9) announced that he was dissolving the parliament after the far-right defeated his centrist alliance in EU polls. Macron called snap legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. Hundreds of millions of Europeans are voting to select 720 Members of the European Parliament.
Macron said that he can't pretend nothing has happened and that the outcome of the EU election is "not a good result for parties who defend Europe". He added the rise of nationalists was a danger for France and Europe.
The National Rally (RN) party inflicted a heavy defeat on Macron's camp. It scored over double the number of votes of the head of state's centrist alliance, projections indicated.
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Projections published by several polling firms showed that the RN's list, led by Jordan Bardella, gained between 32.3 and 33 per cent of the vote compared with 14.8 to 15.2 per cent for Macron's alliance, which was led by his Renaissance party.
"Far right parties... are progressing everywhere in the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself," Macron said.
"I decided to give you the choice... Therefore I will dissolve the National Assembly tonight.
"This decision is serious and heavy but it is an act of confidence. Confidence in you, dear compatriots, and in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for itself and future generations."
Here is the first projection based on estimates of the new Parliament.
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) June 9, 2024
It is based on available national estimates and pre-election polling data.
Europeans are still voting and provisional results will be available later today.
For more information: https://t.co/TdW2xWIyOx pic.twitter.com/ny2RIEqEmI
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition also suffered a defeat as all three parties in his government are trailing the conservatives and the far right, according to preliminary results.
The result sparked calls from the victorious conservative CDU-CSU bloc for the centre-left Scholz to change course or pave the way for new elections.
(With inputs from agencies)
