The European Parliament elections have marked a turning point in the continent’s political dynamics, with far-right parties gaining ground in several countries, including France and Italy. In France, President Emmanuel Macron is facing a political crisis after his party’s defeat to Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, prompting him to dissolve the National Assembly and call for early legislative elections. The first round of these snap elections is scheduled for June 30, with the second on July 7 —a move that has led to widespread protests and political maneuvering .In response to the far-right’s gains, French left-wing parties, including the Socialist Party, Communist Party, Ecologists, and La France Insoumise, have announced plans to form a ‘new popular front’. They will support single candidates in each constituency in an effort to present a united front against both the far-right and Macron’s centrist government. This alliance is a revival of their cooperation in the 2022 parliamentary campaign.Meanwhile, President Macron has called on the left and right to unite against the far-right, but the success of this strategy remains uncertain. The upcoming legislative elections are being hailed as ‘the most important election in French history,’ with the potential to reshape the country’s political landscape. As France braces for these elections, the rest of Europe is watching closely, with the rise of the far-right posing a challenge to the EU’s agenda and Franco-German relations.
Key points
- Far-right parties have made significant gains in the European Parliament elections, with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy winning nearly 30% of the votes in France and Italy respectively.
- French President Macron has dissolved the National Assembly and called for snap legislative elections on June 30 and July 7 after his party’s defeat.
- French left-wing parties plan to form a ‘new popular front’ to challenge the far-right and Macron’s government in the upcoming elections.
