Gambiaj.com – (PARIS) – In a bold and risky move, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap parliamentary elections on June 30, with a second-round vote on July 7. This decision comes in the wake of a significant defeat in the recent EU elections, where Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) secured 31.5 percent of the vote, according to Ipsos projections, more than doubling the support for Macron’s party.

Addressing the nation, Macron acknowledged the growing support for far-right parties, which together garnered nearly 40 percent of the vote. “This is an essential time for clarification,” he stated. “I have heard your message, your concerns, and I will not leave them unanswered. France needs a clear majority to act in serenity and harmony.”

Le Pen welcomed Macron’s announcement, expressing her readiness to lead if given the mandate by the French people. “We are ready to take power if the French people have confidence in us in these forthcoming legislative elections,” she said. Should RN win a majority, Le Pen’s protégé Jordan Bardella, who led the party to its historic EU election result, would likely become the prime minister.

The EU election results marked a significant blow to Macron, whose pro-European stance and warnings against the far-right resurgence failed to resonate with voters. Macron’s party, weakened and in disarray, faces an uphill battle as the country prepares for the parliamentary polls.

The far-right’s success highlights widespread dissatisfaction with Macron’s administration, with key issues such as immigration and the cost-of-living crisis dominating voter concerns. The left, divided and weakened, also struggled in the EU elections, with the Greens and other left-wing parties failing to mount a unified front.

Critics from various political spectrums have voiced their concerns over Macron’s decision, describing it as a dangerous gamble with the country’s democracy and institutions. The upcoming elections will test France’s political landscape, with the potential to redefine the balance of power and the future direction of the nation.